November is National Diabetes Month.  We also celebrate Veterans’ Day and
honor those who have served or are serving in the United States military.

Captain Joseph Budzyn of Mokena,
Illinois, an Eagle Scout and a 2008 graduate of the Air Force Academy recently
shared his story with me. 
Nominated to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs by his congressman, he joined this prestigious class of 1300 young men and women to
fulfill his dream of serving his country and learning to fly. He was
commissioned as a 2^nd lieutenant and was a C-130H copiliot at the
time of his diagnosis. Currently a captain, Budzyn recently wrote me about his
type 1 diagnosis and what striving for a cure for type 1 and better therapies
and treatments until that time, means to him.

“ I
was diagnosed with T1D two years ago on 23 Sept 2010. At the time, I was
in training as a C-130H pilot for the US Air Force.  When I started having
the symptoms and researched them online, it always came back that I probably
had T1D.  If I was diagnosed, I knew it would mean the end of my flying
career so I delayed the inevitable as long as possible.

Over
the last two years I have been able to remain on active duty as an officer in
the Air Force.  While I have not been able to continue flying for the Air
Force, I am in the process of retraining and transitioning to a new career
field.

So what motivates me?  The
possibility of a future where children whose dream it is to fly or serve in the
military do not have to give up on that dream because of T1D.  I am
motivated to help find a cure or further advocate for improvement in medical
devices to control and reduce the burden of having T1D.  Thank you for
your time and I truly look forward to working with JDRF!”

Captain Budzyn’s dream for the future is not different from
the hopes and dreams most parents have for their children: to live a rich and
productive life and for them to follow their dreams; that they discover a
passion that gives their life meaning and makes the world a better place.

As Captain Budzyn and anyone else living with type 1 will
attest, being diagnosed profoundly changes your life, creating new challenges,
changing the way you live day-to-day, altering the route taken to achieve your
goals, sometimes changing the goals themselves.

Living with diabetes requires enormous amounts of energy,
tenacity and resilience.  Following
one’s dreams requires the courage to persevere and navigate obstacles, forging
new paths, and at times creating new goals, new dreams.

On Veterans’ Day, we thank Captain Budzyn and all service
members for their sacrifices and dedicated service to our country and its’
principals.  

In November, National Diabetes
Month, we also honor all those who live with diabetes.  We are thankful for the scientists,
doctors, diabetes advocates and all those who have played a role in this
progress that has resulted in better, safer and easier management of type
1.  And we continue to advocate for
diabetes research funding, knowing life can and should be so much better for
people with type 1. From the strength of our numbers as JDRF Advocates to the
passion in our hearts, we will strive for better treatments and technology as
we continue moving closer to a cure.

To find out what you can do to
help support type 1 diabetes research, visit our JDRF Advocacy site or leave me a comment
below!

Camille
JDRF Advocacy