American Diabetes Association: A Wake-Up Call

A Wake-Up Call
Friday, April 29, 2005
By: John Jewell

A Wake-Up Call

Two and a half years ago I could not make it the 100 yards from the parking lot to my office on the second floor. My cardiologist suggested I may have to undergo open heart surgery. 18 months later I finished my first Sprint Triathlon. Now I ride in Tour de Cure!

At age 63, I was diagnosed as a type II diabetic. I was already taking medication for hypercholesterimia. I asked my doctor for a 120 day "stay of execution" for his suggestion to take oral medication for diabetes.

I began a training program with the hope that I would be able to dance at my daughter's wedding. She was only eight years old and I did not want her to marry at age nine or ten! The training worked miracles and 18 months later I finished my first Sprint triathlon. My daughter was with me when I placed second in my age group in my second triathlon. She is the kid in the picture and my number one motivation to stay active. Now I ride! I absolutely have fallen in love with cycling and ride to help find a cure for the disease that contributed to the death of my mother-in-law.

Riding the "Tour De Cure" and raising funds for the cause is my prayer that a cure will soon be found!