The flamboyant looking gentleman (?!) in the middle of this photo is my good friend Tom. Tom is a cyclist, a Jimmy Buffett enthusaist, a father of two (soon three) beautiful children, and an all around great guy. He is also diabetic.
Having diabetes presents a complicated and sometimes dangerous life already. Being a competitive athlete with diabetes is an order of magnitude more difficult, but Tom does it, and with a smile and contagious, earth-shaking laugh that anyone who’s met him once will recognize. While I consider my own athletic pursuits to be a significant challenge, I can’t imagine trying to accomplish them, as Tom has, fighting a disease that basically tells you to slow down at every turn.
But his dedication, attitude and hard work are paying off. He’s lost gobs of weight and gotten his diabetes well under control. One might say he’s pedaled it into submission. One of the ways he’s been doing that for the past several years has been to ride the Tour de Cure, the American Diabetes Association’s national bicycle tour-meets-fundraising campaign. The route he rides is a full century, 100 miles, through the hills and country roads outside Columbus.
In years past, I’ve contributed to his campaign, and have been happy to do it. This year, I’m joining him for the tour, and I’ve been training hard to be ready. I don’t often ask for much in terms of support for the things that I do, but today, and for the next 50 days, I will.
If you enjoy reading my blog; if you struggle with diabetes yourself or know someone who does; if you believe in supporting crucial, effective work combating lifelong disease; please consider showing your thanks by contributing to my campaign at the link below. My friends and I will be deeply grateful.
Yours,
Pete
http://main.diabetes.org/goto/PeteRidestheTour