Ever felt like you were on an island alone with T1D?   We thought it was important to share a special message from someone who found a type 1 diabetes family he never knew existed.  We think you will really enjoy it:

Spencer Crittendon Facebook Post
August 7 at 10:59 PM ·

Alright everyone, so here’s the deal. I’m going to open up a little.

I’ve spent the last 11 years of my life living on an island without even knowing it. I joined the JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes, and joined a couple group rides. What I didn’t expect was to recognize how alone I’ve been in living with this condition for nearly half of my life.

Every person in this photo either has or is connected to someone with type 1 diabetes. These are just a couple of the 52 Minnesotans riding with 600+ on Saturday.

I’ve never had a family member, friend, or even an acquaintance or coworker with type one diabetes. I’ve never had someone to really truly understand what life is like as a diabetic. The constant carb counting, what it feels like to have low or high blood sugar, the things I have to think about and consider on a daily basis, and so on and so on. Having high or low blood sugar as a diabetic is a feeling that is impossible to describe with words. It’s something you have to know to understand. It may seem small, but being able to talk to someone who understands this small and maybe even insignificant feeling in incredible.

So the thing is, I didn’t know I was missing out. I didn’t even consider that others live the same life I do.

The people I’ve been riding with for the last few days understand it. They are living through it just like me, and I can’t believe I’ve been missing out on this community for 11 years.

I’ve only spent a few hours with this group, but my heart is full. I’m feeling an empathy that I’ve never felt before. I know these people without having met them before, and they know me. Living with a condition like this has its ups and downs, but I’ve finally met the people who know what it’s like.

I wanted to share with all of you, especially those who have donated and supported the cause, and let you know that this weekend is going to change my perspective. This seemed like a fun and exciting thing to do this weekend, but I have a feeling my life is going to change quite a bit. I had no idea of this going into it. I’m realizing how powerful this is going to be. I’m about to drive a couple hundred miles to spend a 4 day weekend with hundreds of other type one diabetics. People just like me. People who I will ride beside for 100 miles. People who are conquering life with a condition that could easily control your life if you don’t control the condition.

I’m grateful, and I have a full heart thanks to all of you who are a part of this.

Thank you

Spencer Crittendon, JDRF Minnesota Rider

I wrote this post just a few days before I did my first JDRF Ride on August 11 in La Crosse.  I am now serving the JDRF Minnesota Ride Planning Committee.

Give yourself a gift of true friendships and join us.  For more information about the Ride to Cure Diabetes visit www.ride.jdrf.org.   We are hosting a JDRF Ride Info night on Tuesday, January 15 at 7 pm at Joe Senser’s in Bloomington.  For questions please contact JDRF Minnesota Ride Development Manager Patty Johnson 952-236-3445 or pjohnson@jdrf.org.   I am sure glad I did.

Spencer