My name is Ryan and I am walking with Team Apollo T1D.   

I’m a normal kid. I am 11 years old and the oldest of 3 kids. I love pizza, reading and mythology and I am obsessed with lacrosse.  When my pediatrician noticed that I lost a few pounds at my August 2019 checkup it made sense because I had a really active summer.  But something wasn’t right and I was really tired.

I’m a diabetic. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) on December 19, 2019.  I remember almost every detail of that night, from the names of the nurses to the look on my parents’ faces when the doctors confirmed my diagnosis.  I also remember when the nurse gave me a blue JDRF backpack which had a stuffed bear to go along with a book about a T1D boy and his stuffed bear, Rufus. I’m not big on stuffed animals, but there was something special about this one.  I spent the next few days in the hospital learning all about my pancreas and T1D, and my bear Rufus was by my side the whole time.  Having him close by helped me to feel like I wasn’t the only one in the room with T1D.  I used the supplies from my JDRF backpack to help my brother and sister learn about T1D.  After we read the book about Rufus, my 4-year-old sister stole my stuffed Rufus!  I didn’t mind though because she found comfort in him just like I did when I was in the hospital.

I’m a warrior.  I don’t “have” diabetes, it’s just a part of who I am just like my brown eyes or my pizza-loving heart.  I haven’t let my new diagnosis stop me from doing what I love.  I’ve started learning what happens to my glucose when I play sports and when I have too much pizza.  (Can you really have TOO much pizza though?)  I’ve had good days and bad days, but every day I learn something new.  

I’m full of hope.  I hope that one day we will find a cure for T1D.  In Greek mythology, the god Apollo stands for healing, education and being aware of how you are living.  I think Apollo would say that we need lots of research, education and awareness to others.  I have joined the JDRF One Walk and am fundraising to make sure that other diabetics have the support and education they need and that the research continues. It’s important for kids and adults living with diabetes to know that they aren’t alone in this journey, and that they too should have hope for a cure.

Thank you for your support, and I’ll see you on walk day!