Thursday, August 21, 2008
the Ironkid
I have been extremely blessed to be part of this Triabetes project. Training is great. I'm in good shape and better than all of that taking care of myself stuff is the impact I am having on others. Most of that influence is probably unknown to me, but there are a few cool cases that I do know about. One of these is with the Triabetes Ironkidz program. I am supposed to be helping encourage a young athlete named Matthew. I hope that I am but in reality this kid is the one who is encouraging. Like me he is a diabetic and has to face all the challenges of this disease, but man he has such an amazing attitude. I don't think he knows what the word impossible means. While talking to him on the phone I thought "Man, the world needs to hear what this kid is saying and asking." So, I am going to let him ask me some questions and shoot some back at him right here on my blog. So Matthew fire away. Tell people your story and ask me some of those questions.
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7 comments:
Hi Dave old pal,
One of the questions I asked you on the phone was, what do you like best about the triathlon and why? What do you dislike about it and why?
What's up Dave,
One more question for you. If you could, would you change having diabetes or would you keep having it?
How is it going, Dave?
Ok, I'm serious man, this is going to be the last, the very last, the super last question I ask of you today. How do you think the triathlon would change the lives of both kids and grown-ups alike with or without diabetes?
Mathew, these are some great questions. The best part about training for this triathlon has been meeting all the other diabetics on the team. I've made some great friends. And along with those new friends has come a bunch of encouragement and wisdom. I am so much more capable and competent in dealing with this disease now. It has also blown my mind to discover how much potential God has placed inside all of us. Without training so hard I don't think I ever would have figured this out. It's been a real blessing.
As far as the dislikes go, well training hours per week has taken time away from my family and that has been the biggest loss, hopefully it is short term and being healthy will give me added years with them. The other major loss has been with the expenses of this whole thing. I've had a ton of gifts and financial help, but I still had to sell my jeep in order to fly to Wisconsin and cover the entry fee. That was a little sad.
My internet connection at home is down so, barring a miracle we will have to wait till next week to answer those other 2 questions.
Meanwhile, I've got a question for you. What is the hardest part about being a kid with diabetes and how do you and your family deal with it?
Later Dude,
Dave
Would I change having diabetes? That seems like such an easy question at first. But it really depends on how we could get rid of it. Sure, life would be so much easier without this to deal with, but it's made me who I am. I also have moral issues with the way some of the research for a cure is being done. Would I take the treatment, well not necessarily. If anything, training for this Ironman has shown me how manageable this disease really is. In my opinion there is no reason to take the life of another individual just to make mine a little easier. I’m just praying they can find a noncontroversial way to cure this annoying disease. In that case there would be no question. I think I’ve learned my lessons from this. It’s time for a different sort of challenge.
Hi Dave,
I saw a newsfeature about the upcoming triathlon and the "triabetes" group. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes three years ago in May at 57. I listened to my doctor, lost 60 pounds, and about a year to the date of my diagnosis, I ran a 1/2 marathon. (I'm not as tough as you guys!) This May I ran a 1/2 marathon in 1:54; in June, I ran a 5K in 23.32 (a personal best); and in August a 10K in 49.19 (also a personal best). I am thinking of trying a spring triathlon in the future. Because I lost weight and exercise every day, I don't take any medication and I've been able to keep my A1C between 4.9 and 5.4. I was very pleased to learn about this group. Best of luck to all of you running in Madison today! Ken in Baraboo
Dave:
Hi, I am a volunteer for the American Diabetes Association/Denver Chapter. We would love to have the opportunity to chat with you, Ahn and Moore regarding your Ironman experience, etc. We are looking for interview candidates for both TV and newspaper to assist us in our PR efforts for our annual Step Out:Walk to Fight Diabetes scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008 at the Downtown Acquarium. I'd love to chat with you regarding these opportunities. Please contact me at chriswolfe@comcast.net. Thank you!!
Dave, you don’t really know me, but I’m Linda, Anne’s mother. Feeling nostalgic about Sunday’s race I googled Triabetes and found a link to your blog. I thought, “I have to get up to teach piano at 6:15 a.m. so I’ll just read a few entries.” Well, it is much later and I have read EVERY entry. They were so wonderful I couldn’t stop. Having lived with my husband Bruce who was diagnosed at the age of 27 (now 62 years old) and Anne and their many adventures, I could easily relate to your stories and comments. I kept stopping and reading entries aloud to Bruce.
When Bruce was diagnosed, he would go to the doctor’s once a month to have his blood tested and would receive the results four days later! Hard to believe. Your brother’s story about racing through the cacti reminded me of a time when Bruce and I took our young family camping. In the middle of the night, Bruce felt horrible. In those days, you would go, “Hmm. Am I high or low? What are these rotten symptoms?” With no testing, there was always a bit of guesswork. I remember running out of the tent in the dark to grab some oranges out of the car. Well, that’s the whole story—not as good as your brother’s. I can’t even remember much after that but it all must have worked out because we went camping many times after that. All I can really recall is the fear I felt being a ways from civilization with Bruce not feeling well and the little kids in the tent. But honestly, our lives have been a series of little miracles—for which I’m extremely grateful.
As unpredictable as diabetes can seem sometimes, diabetic care is so much better today, with meters and pumps, etc.—and now doctors such as Dr. Matt and the scientific research that is being done. I applaud the members of the Triabetes team for moving knowledge about diabetes a step further and by helping diabetes think differently about their potential.
Congratulations on a strong race. We were watching you all the way. You and your friends did so well.
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