Welcome, Jimmy V.!!!
A few weeks ago on a sunshine-filled Saturday morning, after a ride that several of us take regularly, we made our way to the local coffee shop for some coffee and a bit of breakfast. A nice man asked us about our bike riding, mentioning he saw us during the week. He was interested in riding and had started riding himself. We talked about the riding we do during the week: how far, low long it takes; rides we take on the weekends … and then the conversation turned to the ADA Tour de Cure ride coming up in the Spring. One of the team members was wearing an ADA Tour de Cure jersey from a previous year’s ride. It turns out that our upcoming ride was of particular interest to this man – he has diabetes. Well, one thing led to another, and now we have a new team member: Jimmy!!
Jimmy was diagnosed with diabetes and now has to make changes in his life to keep it under control. Now, I don’t know about everyone, but I do know that change can be hard. That isn’t even including when that change affects your life so dramatically. That’s what happened to Jimmy. Now he monitors his blood sugar and is under a doctor’s care. Talking to him just gives us more reason to want to ride and work to help gain support and spread the word about the great work the ADA does. But that wasn’t where we stop, Jimmy joined our team! He is the first team member to have this terrible disease. He is a Red Rider.
What an honor to know him and see the determination he has to fight this battle against diabetes. How could we not help him with our support? It really brings the ride to a personal level, once again. I know that this ride we do to help in finding a cure for diabetes is important — important to people. It is not about riding fast, it is not about how far we go. No, it is about doing something that can make a difference in someone’s life. Thanks, Jimmy, for being a part of our team!!
Jimmy, you took the first step by getting on the bike! Woohoooo!!!
Regards,
TeamOne
View An Inspirational Story
