Padget's Personal Page

Hi! Hopefully if you're reading this page, you already know me. I am Padget Elizabeth Smith. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) on November 7, 1990...exactly four days before Brendan, my younger brother (#4 of 5), was born. My parents are rockstars! To date, I've never allowed my diabetes to stop me from doing anything I want to, but it does require constant daily vigilence to maintain good control. I'm motivated to find a cure to avoid the long term comlications of T1DM  - this is because I have BIG plans for my life. Let me share...

See the picture of me with the cute boy? He's my boyfriend and I'm really happy about it. Guess how we met? The JDRF gala this year - he's not diabetic but was volunteering there because he's cool like that. I think our dates are really fun. Diabetes is not. We're hopeful that I won't be diabetic forever, because there are so many things I want to do with this one crazy life that I've been given.

You see, I've always thought that if I work hard I could have a very full and rewarding life - a life filled with love/laughter/joy, enthusiasm and passion, a career that helps people, and a family that makes everyday worth living.  I am blessed to have all these things, and want to live the longest & fullest life possible, a cure for T1DM would almost certainly increase my longevitiy and years of good health.

I am currently in medical school studying to be a pediatrician. I want to be part of the team that helps DO the research and takes care of patients with diabetes (and then after the cure, finds something else to take care of)!! I am beyond thrilled with my career choice, but as many of you have heard - it's a long haul. And in order to help all the people I can - and cure a few diseases along with way (not likely, but a fun, lofty goal), I need to be able to practice for AT LEAST 25 years...and THEN I want to travel, read books, do yoga, play golf, volunteer... long into retirement ;) This involves years of good health - which is difficult to maintain with T1DM.

My career as medical student has given me to opportunity to be a participant of a scientific research team at the Diabetes Research Training Center at Vanderbilt University - a portion of this funded through JDRF. These research dollars are well spent, and meticuoulsly accounted for. JDRF does an excellent job ensuring that the most of each dollar given goes directly to research. I'm very grateful for the service JDRF provides as they generate a sizeable amount of revenue which helps fund scientific advances that i've personally benefitted from.

Thank you for your time and consideration! I hope you feel motivated, like me, to help contribute to finding a cure...and help not only myself and my family but millions of people that are impacted by this disease.

To a future of good health - take care. Much love, padget

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