Voices of Diabetes

My son Kyle, age 9, was diagnosed Oct. 23, 2006. He acquired a pump the following March and loves the pump therapy. Kyle speaks at local Lions Club meetings and participates in the walks at Virginia Beach, Va., oceanfront each year to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Also, he and his Uncle Todd take the B.A.D. ride (Bikers Against Diabetes) from Bayside Harley in Portsmouth, Va. to the Suffolk Municipal Airport each September.

While working with the Lions Club recently, Kyle has helped spread awareness of the need for financial help for newly diagnosed children and their families. While working with the JDRF, Kyle has volunteered to go into the hospital rooms of newly diagnosed children and speak with them about what they are experiencing and obstacles they have yet to manage. He is so excited about helping others that he went online and found a Children's Congress through JDRF. He is currently making plans to attend next year’s event in June 2009, in Washington, D.C.

Emily S, 39

Portsmouth, VA

136381