Advocate

October 15, 2012

This past weekend my mom and I travelled to Louisville to attend the Mrs. Kentucky 2013 pageant!

Mom was doing hair and make-up on a few of the girls, and I tagged along for fun! I got to hang out with a few of the former Mrs. Kentucky’s and listen to them talk about their experiences with the pageant! I also got to talk to some of the girls competing this year. They were all very sweet and lots of fun to talk to. I sat and watched the pageant and tried to pick a winner! In the end, Lindsey Haukom from Louisville took the title of Mrs. Kentucky 2013.

The next day, Mom had to work with Lindsey for her official Mrs. Kentucky photo shoot. My mom was doing her hair and makeup, and I got to watch all the happenings of the shoot!

As the day progressed, we got to talking, and I found out that Lindsey is a nurse. One thing led to another and we started talking about diabetes. Go figure!!!

Lindsey asked me several questions about my pump and how it worked. She is very much a supporter of diabetes awareness and education! I got to tell her about my story with diabetes and how I am the 2012 National Youth Advocate for the American Diabetes Association. It was a great chance to discuss our Safe at School platform and my goals in life!

She thought it was a very worthwhile campaign and said that she would be happy to support anything I was doing! In fact, helping me take a picture to STOP DIABETES is her official first job as Mrs. Kentucky. She even wrote about it on her blog! It was a great weekend filled with glitter, gowns, crowns and diabetes awareness.

June 15, 2012

The 2012 ADA Father of the Year Awards were in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was a really touching event honoring four local husband/fathers in the Philadelphia area. What an honor to be able to speak to this distinguished crowd about how important children's safety and health at school is! The Safe at School Program can really benefit both parents and children.

Not only does the Association recognize these fab-fathers, there is also a silent auction to raise awareness and funding for their local (Philadelphia) Diabetes camp. This was a great event! Hope you enjoy the pictures! And, as always, I encourage you to check out our efforts with our Safe at School campaign and our Father of the Year awards.

Next stop… Michigan!

June 6, 2012

June has started with a bang!

June 2nd was our local Step Out to Stop Diabetes walk in Lexington, Kentucky. For the last 13 years we have had the walk at Keeneland race track. It is a beautiful venue and is large enough to host our 1,200-plus walkers. After opening ceremonies and a warm up, the walk started! After the walk, everyone enjoyed the lunch that is provided and the kid’s area.

The crowd was great, filled with family and friends all joining together to honor, support and walk for those they love with diabetes. What an incredible feeling to be surrounded by such a group!  My team, Logan’s Walking Warriors, raised $7,800 and counting. Even though the walk is over, we are still actively taking donations… And we hope to reach our goal! Collectively (all teams), we hope to raise $255,000.00 Wow! What a walk! 

I really encourage you to get involved in your local Step Out Walk! Make a team, raise money and see if you can’t be the difference! Just go to www.diabetes.org/stepout! Good luck and happy walking!

May 20, 2012

Spring is in the air

April was a very busy month for me!  As I finish up my college applications and all the scholarship entries, I am planning spring break, prom and my next adventures as National Youth Advocate.

The day before Prom we traveled about 90 min away from home to a rural community called Elizabethtown. The local Health Department played host to the Diabetes Support group which mainly consisted of younger children with type 1. I am always amazed when I see the number of children with diabetes that are in such a small rural community. Luckily, I was able to give a speech about the importance of being Safe at School and to answer their questions.

At this particular meeting there was a young girl in 3rd grade that was newly diagnosed and having a hard time with adjustment. It really makes a difference to have the support of those around you, like this support group and of course to know you have the ADA to always look out for your rights and offer help!

National Diabetes Alert Day!

The end of March found me on the ABC afternoon news talking about the American Diabetes Association Alert Day and our local Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes, spreading the word about Step Out and also the importance of Alert Day! Have you taken the risk test?

So, what’s Alert Day, you ask? Alert Day was March 27th, on that day the entire American Diabetes Association community asked our supporters to spread the word to everyone they know to take the Diabetes Risk Test to work to prevent and Stop Diabetes! Dear Abbey also published a letter I submitted encouraging everyone to take the Diabetes Risk Test! What an honor to see that letter published nationally for all to see.

I am proud to represent this organization as the National Youth Advocate because, “The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes and works everyday toward its vision of a world free of diabetes and all its burdens.”

National Advocacy Committee Meeting

Later at the end of March, it was special to be at a reception dinner to meet and greet all the wonderful volunteers and staff that make a difference in the lives of those with diabetes at the American Diabetes Association’s National Advocacy Committee Meeting. So many people with touching stories that help make things better for others were there.

The next morning I attended several meetings setting goals and going over the Association’s accomplishments in the past year. I presented a timeline of all of the advocacy efforts that I have been fortunate to be a part of since being named 2012 National Youth Advocate.

While I was there it was great to finally meet Madi Dodge, the former National Youth Advocate, and her mom. She is still very involved with the Association and helps with the Youth Strategies Committee.

It was a great meeting, and I look forward to all the exciting plans and ideas coming up! The American Diabetes Association is a very special group of professionals and volunteers.

Making a Personal Impact

After Kentucky Diabetes Day, I was humbled when I received a personal letter from the grandmother of a newly diagnosed type 1 teenager. She had read one of my interviews and contacted my high school to send me a personal letter asking me to call her and her family to help them understand what life at school is like when you have diabetes. This was a wonderful opportunity to explain the Safe at School Program and positively influence another teenage girl with diabetes! I explained to them why having a 504 plan is so important and how education and a great school support system are definitely necessary. It really hit home for me, and it felt great to help someone so close to home!

Capitol Hill Advocacy Day

The middle of March meant the American Diabetes Association’s Capitol Hill Advocacy Day. It was exciting to once again plan on storming the steps of the U.S. Capitol to meet with our Senators and Representatives who are responsible for the funding for all of our research and future plans for diabetes education and prevention. What a thrill!

Our group of volunteer Diabetes Advocates from around the country started with group briefings to prepare for our meetings with Congress. We then met later for a reception that included many tasty treats, and I had a fun time interviewing attendees  asking them why they were in DC and what they hoped to accomplish. There were so many inspiring stories!

The next day we boarded the buses and headed to the Capitol for breakfast that included inspirational and instructional meetings with Appropriations Committee staff, and then headed off to our respective Congressional offices to advocate for and express our feelings about diabetes and its toll on our country! And our voices were heard! Most offices agreed with our positions and extended their support to our cause.

After a full day, I finally made it home ready to start more fun local events, prepare for Diabetes Alert Day and prepare to return to D.C. for the Association’s National Advocacy Committee meetings.