Today's assignment was at the Lexington Legends ballpark (I know, tough one, right?) with the American Diabetes Association of Lexington Here, I met Kirsten Rowland and Lisa Edwards, who is a great friend of my beautiful yoga teacher Susan Hanna-- you may remember here from the yoga event at Ethereal Brewery. We also had volunteers come from Kohl's volunteer program, and got to meet most of the young ADA Ambassadors. One of which, Parker Thomas, threw out the first pitch! Hist story can be found below.
When you get to spend time at the ball park in the warm (ok, really really HOT) sunshine on a Friday evening, it's hard to think that what you are doing is "community service", but is was such a great reminder that doing good for the community can be so much fun!
I was so glad to work with this organization because, as many of you may know, my father has struggled for half his life with Type 1 Diabetes. It's impossible for me to learn too much about the diabetes epidemic or what can be done to help prevent or treat it.
Being health conscious, I had to be a part of this in some way. I wanted to make the Step Out Walk part of my 30 Ways, but it was unfortunately just a little outside of my "window" of days on May 30. The next best thing was to help get others involved and create awareness about the cause behind it.
When you get to spend time at the ball park in the warm (ok, really really HOT) sunshine on a Friday evening, it's hard to think that what you are doing is "community service", but is was such a great reminder that doing good for the community can be so much fun!
I was so glad to work with this organization because, as many of you may know, my father has struggled for half his life with Type 1 Diabetes. It's impossible for me to learn too much about the diabetes epidemic or what can be done to help prevent or treat it.
Being health conscious, I had to be a part of this in some way. I wanted to make the Step Out Walk part of my 30 Ways, but it was unfortunately just a little outside of my "window" of days on May 30. The next best thing was to help get others involved and create awareness about the cause behind it.
Kirsten set up the table at the event inside the gate and we spoke to kids, parents, grandparents, and people of all ages about the ADA and the Step Out Walk. There was a lot of interest generated around the event, and many people let us know they were either diabetic or knew someone that was. We heard from many as they took promo items (bracelets, balls, stickers, and FANS--thank goodness--because it was pushing 90 degrees!) Picture below, I'm with the youth ambassadors for the ADA in Lexington. Parker Thomas is in the yellow, whose story is below.
Meet Local Youth Ambassador, Parker Thomas, Diagnosed at age 8...
Parker Thomas, one of the 2015 Step Out Youth Ambassadors, is stepping up to the plate to make a difference for all those affected by diabetes. In fact, he threw out the first pitch at the Lexington Legends game as the Association is recognized as Community Organization of the Night!
“My name is Parker Thomas and my Step Out team is Scoop’s Crew. I am 16 years old, and I am a sophomore at Woodford Co High School. I was diagnosed with diabetes when I was 8 years old. I am determined that I will not let this disease define me; however I never forget that it is there. I go to bed with it, and I wake up with it. It can be a major distraction. I must be prepared at all times for anything that diabetes can send my way. Between checking blood sugars, calculating carbohydrates, keeping track of supplies, changing my site for my insulin pump every 3 days, making sure my glucose meter is charged, changing my sensor for my continuous glucose monitor on day 6, I could go on and on. Diabetes is certainly something I would trade in if given the opportunity! Life is full of challenges anyway, who wants to battle these hurdles every single day of their life? A cure must be found.
I am thankful that I am healthy and able to live an active life. Although it takes extra steps that most people do not have to take, I work hard and make it happen. I play baseball and basketball. I like to hunt and fish and spend time outdoors. My team, Scoop’s Crew, is the reason I walk. They each represent different paths of my life. Some of them I have gone to school with all of my life, others have coached me, taught me, babysat me, they have been my teammate, or a neighbor, or they are the greatest family I could ask for. I walk because it feels good. It feels good that my team raises money, not just for me, but for others that face the same challenges I do.”
“My name is Parker Thomas and my Step Out team is Scoop’s Crew. I am 16 years old, and I am a sophomore at Woodford Co High School. I was diagnosed with diabetes when I was 8 years old. I am determined that I will not let this disease define me; however I never forget that it is there. I go to bed with it, and I wake up with it. It can be a major distraction. I must be prepared at all times for anything that diabetes can send my way. Between checking blood sugars, calculating carbohydrates, keeping track of supplies, changing my site for my insulin pump every 3 days, making sure my glucose meter is charged, changing my sensor for my continuous glucose monitor on day 6, I could go on and on. Diabetes is certainly something I would trade in if given the opportunity! Life is full of challenges anyway, who wants to battle these hurdles every single day of their life? A cure must be found.
I am thankful that I am healthy and able to live an active life. Although it takes extra steps that most people do not have to take, I work hard and make it happen. I play baseball and basketball. I like to hunt and fish and spend time outdoors. My team, Scoop’s Crew, is the reason I walk. They each represent different paths of my life. Some of them I have gone to school with all of my life, others have coached me, taught me, babysat me, they have been my teammate, or a neighbor, or they are the greatest family I could ask for. I walk because it feels good. It feels good that my team raises money, not just for me, but for others that face the same challenges I do.”
More about the American Diabetes Association
The Mission, from the ADA website:
We lead the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fight for those affected by diabetes.
We fund research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes.
We deliver services to hundreds of communities.
We provide objective and credible information.
We give voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes.
We lead the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fight for those affected by diabetes.
We fund research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes.
We deliver services to hundreds of communities.
We provide objective and credible information.
We give voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association of Lexington is, of course, part of a much bigger national cause. Click here for their website, full of facts about diabetes and all of the amazing programs they have their hands in.
I Want to Sign Up for the Walk!
Well, of course you do! It's FREE, and you are bound to know someone who is diabetic, pre-diabetic, or may be diabetic yourself. And anyone can walk 3 miles.
Sign up here for the walk on May 30, at 8:30 AM, for either a 1 mile or 5K distance.
Once you register, you'll be given your very own web page and will have access to lots of tools to help you fundraise your Step Out Center. You'll be able to customize the page with your reason for walking, send emails to ask others to join you or donate, and even download Facebook and smart phone apps. And of course, your Step Out Specialists (ADA staff) will be there to help the whole way.
Sign up here for the walk on May 30, at 8:30 AM, for either a 1 mile or 5K distance.
Once you register, you'll be given your very own web page and will have access to lots of tools to help you fundraise your Step Out Center. You'll be able to customize the page with your reason for walking, send emails to ask others to join you or donate, and even download Facebook and smart phone apps. And of course, your Step Out Specialists (ADA staff) will be there to help the whole way.
Contact Information
PO Box 21903
Lexington, Kentucky, 40522
Phone: 800-676-4065
Fax: 859-268-9165
For the Walk:
Contact: Lisa Edwards
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (859) 268-9129 x3327
Lexington, Kentucky, 40522
Phone: 800-676-4065
Fax: 859-268-9165
For the Walk:
Contact: Lisa Edwards
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (859) 268-9129 x3327