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Health & Fitness

Opened Doors

Type 1 diabetes may close one door, but it can open another. Children's Congress 2011 gives 150 children an opportunity to make lifelong memories while fighting for a cure.

Someone once said that as one door closes, another opens. My experience today at Children’s Congress 2011 embodied just that, and even more. This may seem a paradox, as having type 1 diabetes would not suggest “opened doors,” but my fellow delegates have showed how to turn lemons into lemonade.

While that wise maxim may seem trite or corny, it is so true. Meeting fellow delegates, I drew an instant connection, as they are not only my colleagues but also fellow diabetics that have shared the same experiences. Smiles abound our faces when we talk diabetes “lingo.” We show our insulin pumps with pride and compare models. We share stories. We share a disease. We share a special connection.

Tonight, at the opening dinner, we met diabetic celebrities, including American Idol star Crystal Bowersox and Olympic gold medalist Gary Hall, Jr. Earlier today, we rehearsed the Promise to Remember Me song with Crystal. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at a young age, she has lived the daily struggles that so many children experience. She entered the room with a big smile, sat down with a graceful hold on her guitar, and led us in harmony. It was really neat.

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Then, after the rehearsal, the state delegations had personal photos with Crystal. You may have watched American Idol Season 9, but being up close to a role model for all of us was humbling. Later, after grabbing some things from the hotel room, I took an elevator down to the ballroom floor to get ready for the opening dinner. Exiting the elevator, there stood Gary Hall, Jr., one of the American swimming greats. We shook hands, and he talked and moved with a cool demeanor. I loved meeting a famous diabetic in that type of atmosphere. His autograph will hang in my room.

At the dinner, Chairmom Stefany Shaheen and Chairkid Ellie Shaheen led Children’s Congress throughout the evening, with opening addresses from JDRF’s CEO, Jeffrey Brewer, and Chief Research Director, Dr. Aaron Kowalski. They all inspired confidence that a cure will be found, and that treatments such as the artificial pancreas will benefit diabetics in the near future. Encouraging the FDA to support the artificial pancreas project will be a major objective of Children’s Congress 2011.

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I also met my fellow delegates, many for the first time. Many are funny and outgoing, and some can make a crowd give a standing ovation, but all of us have come to D.C. for one purpose, to ask Congress’ support for type 1 diabetes research.

It is inspiring to meet so many diabetics and delegates, JDRF staff, celebrities, and parents. While diabetes may require frequent blood sugar checks, carb counting, and hospital visits, it is the soil for a flowering of friendships and memories. Just as type 1 diabetes closed the door to a normal life, it has opened the door to a life of opportunities.

TOMORROW: Town Hall with type 1 diabetic role models (9:45am EDT), featuring Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, LPGA golfer Carling Coffing, Amazing Race winner Dr. Nat Strand, Olympic gold medalist Gary Hall, NFL Super Bowl champion Kendall Simmons, and JDRF’s Chief Research Officer, Dr. Aaron Kowalski. Promise to Remember Me song performance with Crystal Bowersox (3:45pm EDT) on Capitol Hill.

                 ~ Please view the events online at http://www.cc.jdrf.org/LIVE ~

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