My daughter, Meredith, was diagnosed with T1D when she was 2 years old.  She is now 11 and in 6th Grade.  Meredith does not remember a life without T1D and all that entails.  As parents, my husband and I have tried to make sure that Meredith can do anything she wants to with diabetes on board.  She is a competitive swimmer, she plays softball, volleyball and basketball, she downhill skis and loves to ride her bike.  Watching her with her friends and teammates, you would never know she has this disease.

Our family has participated in many JDRF One Walks over the years, and more recently, we have become involved in the JDRF Ride to Cure program.  Walking and Riding for Meredith and JDRF has brought so much to our family.  We have met amazing people that we are fortunate enough to call friends through our involvement in JDRF.  Meredith’s older sister, Sydney, even met her best friend through JDRF.  They both have T1D siblings and they have been an amazing support system for each other when this disease rears its ugly head.  My son, Holden, and I have done 6 Rides to Cure together.  Sydney joined us this year Riding for her sister.  Holden has met awesome people with and without T1D who have mentored him, guided him, and given him a better understanding of what his sister lives with every day.  My husband volunteers and supports us every step of the way, making our JDRF involvement a true family affair.

I am the main fundraiser for our family.  I send out letters and ask people to donate their hard earned money to help JDRF find a cure for my daughter.  I email friends and relatives and use social media in numerous ways to obtain donations to reach our fundraising goals.  I email and call our elected representatives and ask for their support in legislation that will make a positive impact on Meredith’s life.

Our family has lived with diabetes for almost a decade.  We have grown in countless ways because of this disease.  JDRF continues to make advancements in research and technologies that will change Meredith’s life.  We are thankful for the people whose paths have crossed ours and the experiences that have made our lives richer.  We will continue to advocate, fundraise, Walk and Ride until Meredith can say she used to have T1D.