Happy holidays everyone!! This is my last blog as my role as the American Diabetes Association Illinois Youth Ambassador is coming to an end. I just
wanted to say how thankful I was for this opportunity and to help other
kids with diabetes. I want to encourage other kids out there to help
out around their community and help other kids with diabetes because you never
know whose life you are really going to touch or be an inspiration for.
Remember you're not alone there is always someone who is going through the same
situation. I cannot wait to see who the 2016 youth ambassador will be to continue being an inspiration to all!
I had a lot of fun helping out this year. Some of the activities I did was
going to the Family Link Mini Golf Day to golf with kids while their parents were able to
connect, I got to speak at the diabetes Expo, rode in the Tour de Cure, walked in Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes, got to go to a race car speedway and cheer on Ryan Reed in his Stop Diabetes race car, and going to diabetes camps (my fav!) as both a camper and meeting with kids at the day camps! I had a lot of fun doing all
of these.
I'm glad I had this opportunity so I could help other
kids out. I don't think diabetes is a burden, in a way it's more of something to
learn from. It taught me to never give up and that I am still "normal". I can
still do everything like I used to. Diabetes for me hasn't slowed down anything
that I do. It pushed me to work harder and show people that I am still the same
person.
We had a diabetes awareness day at our school recently
where everyone wore blue. We had blue face paint and since my number for all of
my sports is #31, many of my classmates wrote “31” on their face with paint.
Even the state representative came to our school and saw what we were doing. It
was quite inspirational!
Having diabetes made me want to work even harder to
accomplish the goals I want, even though it might be a little more tougher down
the road. I'm so happy I got this experience and let everyone know that
diabetes can't and won't stop you. You are still normal and will accomplish
everything you want to. Just keep a smile on your face and never give up. Thank you for this amazing opportunity!
