Why We Ride
Just finished shift #10 – the toughest one yet. . It’s a pitch black night and cold in eastern Saskatchewan. Temperature is 0 - +1. I am frozen to the bone
Another night for a lot of thought as I was out alone. Inevitably I look down and see the white line racing by and drift off in thought.
I think back to what really got me reinvigorated and motivated to make a difference for the kids and families dealing with type one – it was an afternoon with Colleen Mitchell, a fellow parent of a type 1 daughter. Colleen showed the reality and strain that this disease imposes on families dealing with diabetes. That afternoon our group shared our personal concerns about the disease and it was then that I realized I wasn’t the only parent dealing with the fears that my daughter might go low in the nigh and not wake up or end up in the hospital with extremely high blood sugars and the nasty consequences of the disease. I also realized that the parents of type 1 diabetes live in constant stress and fear of their children illness
We are not just riding for the 200,000 + kids that have diabetes and the 6,000 - 8,000 kids that are introduced to this disease each year, we are riding for the parents of these kids. We are riding for the families that have to deal with the disease every minute of every day. The parents that have to send their kids off to school for the 1st day not knowing how they are going to cope – or the parents who send their kids off to university after managing their diabetes from the day they were diagnosed. We are riding to eliminate this nagging stress.
We are looking forward to reaching Alberta – the door step to BC, and the biggest challenge yet – the Rookies. For me this is going to be the real test, its going to be cold, dark and steep.
We will hunker down and get the job done.
There’s a few people I look forward to seeing as we enter BC – the 1st of which will be Nel Peach. Nel has been a big supporter of H2V since day one and has done an incredible job spreading the word in the Salmon Arm district.
Thanks for following - good night
Another night for a lot of thought as I was out alone. Inevitably I look down and see the white line racing by and drift off in thought.
I think back to what really got me reinvigorated and motivated to make a difference for the kids and families dealing with type one – it was an afternoon with Colleen Mitchell, a fellow parent of a type 1 daughter. Colleen showed the reality and strain that this disease imposes on families dealing with diabetes. That afternoon our group shared our personal concerns about the disease and it was then that I realized I wasn’t the only parent dealing with the fears that my daughter might go low in the nigh and not wake up or end up in the hospital with extremely high blood sugars and the nasty consequences of the disease. I also realized that the parents of type 1 diabetes live in constant stress and fear of their children illness
We are not just riding for the 200,000 + kids that have diabetes and the 6,000 - 8,000 kids that are introduced to this disease each year, we are riding for the parents of these kids. We are riding for the families that have to deal with the disease every minute of every day. The parents that have to send their kids off to school for the 1st day not knowing how they are going to cope – or the parents who send their kids off to university after managing their diabetes from the day they were diagnosed. We are riding to eliminate this nagging stress.
We are looking forward to reaching Alberta – the door step to BC, and the biggest challenge yet – the Rookies. For me this is going to be the real test, its going to be cold, dark and steep.
We will hunker down and get the job done.
There’s a few people I look forward to seeing as we enter BC – the 1st of which will be Nel Peach. Nel has been a big supporter of H2V since day one and has done an incredible job spreading the word in the Salmon Arm district.
Thanks for following - good night
14 Comments:
...as my son Kaj says: "I can run at Superman speed". Well, that is certainly what you have all achieved, not to mention what Super Men you all are!
You are an inspiration and have restored the faith of human kind in so many across the way.
We all must take some lessons from you and practice them on a daily basis.
Keep up the outstanding work; we are cheering for you here in North Vancouver, and look forward to seeing you all "home" at the FINISH LINE!
All the very best from now until then.
Marike, Dennis, and Kaj (Taylor's new friend).
Good morning guys.You have brought tears to or eyes, but tears of hope. You will be a huge force in ridding this world of this monster. It has to happen before we send our daughter out into the adult world, or university, whichever comes first. It doesn't give alot of time.
Saying "thank-you guys" doesn't quite cut it.
Stay safe and warm! You are in our hearts!
Steve, Heather& Hayley
Hi Kyle, I hope you have had a good sleep and are warm by now after your cold night! I am one of the many Mom's you referred to in your note! As many have said,Thank you doesn't begin to describe how we feel about what you are doing for our children!
Try to enjoy the Rockie's despite the hills. I hope it is not too cold!!!
God Bless you all!
As a parent to a child with Type 1 I share your stress, fears and worries for my daughter Adele's future.
I can't thank you enough for taking on this challenge Kyle and believing as well as giving me and the Mike's Bike Shop peloton the opportunity to be part of it all.
I wish I could be there with you guys riding through the rockies...
"If we don't dream of the possible, the possible never happens." Chistopher Reeve
Like so many others I have read about I watch H2V with OCD like behaviour. Leslie I am so proud of you for chosing to be part of this epic journey! For all you guys riding remember the goal, you guys are awesome and truly inspiring. See you on Saturday, stay safe in the mountains. "It's not how many breaths you take in your life time but how many times something has taken your breath away!"
....“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood,who strives valiantly; who errs and comes back again and again; because there is no effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the great deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at his best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”...
You are brave and bold and have souls of steel,hearts of gold.The taste of sweet victory must be upon your lips as the mountains bring you home to your families, your friends - everyone who is riding with you in spirit down those long lonely roads.
Be safe!
Laila Yuile
In the world today there is ample opportunity to be a hero. It is something that isn't as challenging as you may think - it just takes the right person to be just that.
People tend to believe that in order to be that hero there must be an event that has preceded their moment of heroism; helping someone from a car accident, save someone from a burning house, assisting someone overcome alcoholism or attempted suicide, etc.
This is not true. And these last two weeks I have been a witness to that.
TEAM H2V
1 father making a promise to his 12yr old daughter that he will do anything in his power to find a cure for Juvenile Diabetes - a disease that she was diagnosed with when she was only 18months old.
5 friends that have stepped up to the plate to ride across Canada in a record breaking 9 days to raise awarness on Juvenile Diabetes and raise money to help find a cure - 1 Million is our goal.
16 volunteers devoting 10mths, 2 weeks, or even 1 day to make this promise come true and ensure this goal is met.
Ordinary people, doing extraordinary things. No superhuman strengths. No capes or masks. Just the determination to make a difference.
And as we are coming to the final leg of this epic adventure...there is one thing that people must realize - anyone can make a difference. So don't wait for something to happen or before it is too late. Make a difference while you can. Be that HERO.
I am a huge believer of what is taking place, so proud of the entire team...and want to continue this unbelievable momentum that has already begun.
the H2V team are HERO's
Who hijacked the GPS !!! For all of you devoted followers out there, who are fretting about our boys...I have just heard from my daughter in Calgary.....The guys turned up ON TIME...They had actually managed to stop and have a 4 hour rest just on the outskirts.....A warm, emotional welcome was had by all.....and they are on their way again.....She said they do look a little tired, but they are still VERY pumped and focused..........Like the rest of you, for me the intensity is becoming overwhelming.......Her cousin Richard wanted to tell her, and all of you, that they can FEEL the 'energy field' pulling them home...
I spoke with a friend this week who was diagnosed with JD when she was a teen. When first diagnosed it took doctors two weeks to stabilize her while she lay in a hospital bed, an eternity for a child; and at that time they had even suggested that she not have children when she grew up..sheesh..at least we have made tremendous progress on that front and she and her husband have two healthy teenage daughters that are grateful she ignored that bit. Sadly though, twenty years later she still struggles with maintaining her blood levels, forever vigilant and despite this still things happen occcasionally on a run that are cause for concern. Each time before we go out for a run, and halfway through if it's a long one, she has to check her blood. Sadly, it really never stops being scary. You guys are absolutely heroes, for doing this, for raising funds for research, but also, and more importantly for the long term and for kids who suffer the day to day living with JD (and those who are now adults still struggling), by bringing HOPE and much needed attention, education, and awareness of JD, which I think most of us have totally underestimated the lifelong impact of, on the individuals who have it and their families. You're almost done now guys and I am so proud of all of you, extraordinary, phenomenal, exceptional are the words that come to mind, and yes, heroes too, doubtless.
Ride safe and see you all soon
shirley
ps: Hi Felix! Another great Dad, yes you are!xo
Hey Kyle
Hopefully you get to read this before hitting the tough part of the ride! Been thinking about you over this past week as you undertake this mammoth task. Of course, we have had the presentation at school from your daughter's friends - they have got everything ready for a great fundraising event at Collingwood. It's an absolutely amazing feat that you have all undertaken, and I keep telling myself that I played a part in your preparation by kicking your butt on our little fitness challenges on Monday mornings! Remember that? One last thought - if you go up, you get to come down at some stage! Hopefully see you soon after you get back.
tony
Hello Everyone:
Just wanted to let you know that we are thinking about you guys everyday. We brought out daughter Megan out to meet you in Winnipeg on Sept. 18.
On the ride back to school she thanked us for bringing her to meet you.
We have done all the JDRF walks with Megan since her diagnosis March 17, 2004 (a date and time you never forget and still brings tears to our eyes). We have never been as moved as we are right now with what you are all doing.
Every single person we talked to from your team (especially Jan, I think that's her name, one of the cooks) made as all feel so full of hope for our daughter.
We will find a cure, and it will be in Megan and Taylor's lifetime.
Thank you and God Bless......we follow you daily on the GPS, Megan is always asking where you are. She even brought all the pictures to school to show her friends and teachers.
For the first time our daughter feels hope, and for this alone we can never thank you enough.
John, Annette, Megan McLeod
I feel like I know you so well even though we have never met.
I have been in touch with Suzanne Clement off and on for the last few months trying to give her some ideas as to how to get publicity here in Calgary.
My 5 year old daughter has Type 1 Diabetes. Her and her twin brother had just turned 2 when she was diagnosed.
So…I feel your heart ache, pain and frustration when you have to look your little girl in the eyes every day and explain why she still needs to have ‘pokes’ and ouchy needles.
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart and that of my daughter’s, Aislinn’s, for doing what you are doing…for bringing awareness to Type 1 Diabetes. You and your team are true heros. You give my family as well as others who live with Diabetes 24/7 hope and inspiration...something we so desparately need. Thank you! Cynthia and Aislinn
Thank you guys so much for putting in all your time and hard work to do this. I am 10 years old and have diabetes and know what its like not being able to do all the things everyone else can do some times. I am really grateful that you are doing this and are helping to find the cure once and for all
thank you so much.
See you soon in Vancouver!
Sincerely
Dayton
How do you say thank you to a few individuals that have taken great steps to help so many that need help? How do you say thank you to all the men and women who have volunteered their time to drive, support, care for and help the riders to make this goal possible? How do you say thank you to the men and women who have given up their time, pay cheque, families and endured the physical and mental exhaustion to ride in the cold, the rain and night to help children that they don’t know and will never meet? Well as a parent of a child with Type 1 diabetes, I really don’t know how, but I can say, Thanks to all you men and women for making each day a little better for our children.
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