Drew's Personal Page

A Sweet Journey

Tennessee is and will always be my home. I grew up in Fayetteville, a small town on the Tennessee/Alabama line. I lived here until 2007 when I moved to Nashville. I called Nashville home for another 4 years and then moved again to Huntsville, Alabama. I have always missed Nashville, and knew that there was a deep connection that would eventually draw me back. It appears that that time has come (albeit, momentarily). I have decided to ride in the JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes in Nashville this September :)

So, what is this ride?

It is a bike ride on September 21, 2013 through the Natchez Trace portion of Nashville. Riders will be riding to benefit the JDRF, the leader in the search for an end to Type 1 diabetes, through both research funding and advocacy.  I am riding 100 miles. A century ride. Yes, this will be my 1st organized bike ride. And yes, I am a little crazy.

That is great information, Drew. Now why are you doing this again?

Excellent question. I am doing this because I feel confident that we can find an end to this disease in my lifetime. I am riding to raise awareness, educate and provide financial support to the JDRF. I am also riding because I too am a diabetic.

I was diagnosed with diabetes almost 6 years ago. I remember getting the phone call from the Doctor. I had some routine blood work performed and I was expecting to hear an all-clear, everything is fine. Instead, I was told, that my blood work indicate that I had diabetes. I was shocked. I remember crying. I did not know what to do. I felt as though I had failed and that I did this to myself. I was 24 years old. 

I was in denial for the 1st few years. I hid the disease. Very few people knew about it. I went about my normal life and did not manage it well. I ate what I wanted, did not check my sugar like I should, did not take my medicine like I was supposed to. Someday, I thought, I will change and get this under control.

The change occurred in August 2011, when my daughter was born. Now, I have something to live for, a reason to make a change. So that she can have a healthy father. I made changes. I ate better. I started exercising more. I took my meds. I checked my sugar. I lost weight. My blood sugars are now stable and under control. My confidence has increased about talking to people about diabetes. I am no longer ashamed. I embrace it. It is who I am.

How can I help?

Donate.

I ask for you to donate to my ride, so that we can find a cure to this disease. Donate for me, for someone you know who suffers through this disease. I am able to ride, but others cannot. Donate for them. I have pledged to raise a minimum amount, and I know that He will provide, give me strength, and guide me. Donate so that we can help find a cure. Donate in the hope that one day millions of people are not forced to give themselves multiple finger-pricks and shots every single day. We. Can. Do. This.

Please join me on this sweet journey. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. 

Drew

If you think this page contains objectionable content, please inform the system administrator.