Why I Walk...

I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes ssixteen years ago. It was surreal. For several years I had watched mom deal with her late age diabetes diagnosis, and I knew how I wanted to handle mine differently while supporting her. Unbelievably, her passing in fall 2019 at age 93 was NOT due to complications of diabetes. She was insulin dependent. Her A1c was 5.8 down from 8.1 over a seven year period. I had always thought that diabetes was a sentence to forbidden foods and possible amputations, blindness, even death. I know now that having diabetes is not the end, but the beginning of lifestyle that leads to quality and longevity of life. I have never been prescribed insulin. Recently I have lost 8 pounds in a month and been able to bring my A1c down from 8.2 to 6.3. I am working to keep it where it needs to be with a weekly injectible medication regiment, moderate exercise and nutritional changes. Because of the fundraising, ongoing research and community outreach from the ADA, we who live with diabetes have new hope, not stigmas and wives tales! I must believe this so I can control it in my own life and fight on behalf of others.

This year I will Captain TEAM RED where I can support those living with Type 1, Type 2 or gestational diabetes, or live with someone who does.  I will be making myself available by phone or email to answer any questions our TEAM RED Red Striders have to help make their StepOut SoCal day fun and uplifting!  This Team effort will help raise funds for this year's Step Out  Walk Southern California taking place on September 30, 2023 in beautiful Long Beach, California at Rainbow Lagoon Park!. This American Diabetes Association event is so much more than an outdoor event to me. It is my opportunity to change the future and make a positive impact in the lives of those who are affected by diabetes. I am committed to be an active #ADVOCATE4LIFE, CONNECTEDFORLIFE  to inspire others to support us in that effort, not because now 34+ million people in the United States have diabetes, but because in addition to myself, I know some of them personally.

I INVITE YOU TO SUPPORT ME AND/OR JOIN OUR TEAM!