Becoming a 2015 Medtronic Global Hero

I begin this post sitting at my kitchen table, my heart full of memories and gratitude, looking at our world with new eyes. I was selected to be one of 25 long distance runners from around the world whose lives have been aided by medical technology. As a 2015 Medtronic Global Hero, I was invited to Minneapolis, MN to run the Twin Cities Marathon (or 10 mile) and take part in a weekend full of education, team-building, celebration and more.

Shortly after learning that I was a Global Hero [press release], an alumni, Carrie Romero (2014 Global Hero) connected with me and said, “It will change your life.” At the time, I didn’t really know what she meant. How could ONE race… ONE weekend… ONE award change my life? However, I quickly learned that being a Medtronic Global Hero is way more than just the moment.

“It will change your life.” ~ C. Romero

I’ve lived with Type 1 diabetes for the last 29 years of my life. I haven’t always been in control of my diabetes… I haven’t always been so health-minded. Today, I use an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to help me manage my condition. Yes! I manage it. I am no longer controlled by my diabetes and it no longer defines me.

Though my community and family accepted my diabetes and made every effort to help me feel like a normal little kid, I always felt “different.” I was diagnosed at age 7 and always felt like an outsider. Growing up is hard enough, let alone with a chronic health condition.

Looking back, maybe I was simply naive, but I truly believed that my diabetes wouldn’t stand in my way. I never let it prevent me from growing up, leaving home to go to school, getting married or developing my career. It wasn’t easy though, and through the years I had SO much to learn. There were times, however, that the condition really did own me and I was a slave to my diabetes. I knew I had to make some changes and decided to get an insulin pump.

My insulin pump allows me to live a fairly normal life. Diabetes has not been cured, but this incredible technology certainly makes life more manageable. This past weekend, I shared stories with other Global Heroes who live with chronic health conditions, who, like me, didn’t let their diagnosis stop them. It’s absolutely incredible what can be achieved when there is passion and determination. I’ve come away from the Global Hero experience with new eyes. I am reassured that when someone wants to improve their health or fitness, they will do it, no matter what. There really are no excuses! I met fellow heroes with chronic pain who don’t make excuses. I met fellow heroes with heart conditions, digestive disorders and more, who don’t make excuses… How empowering!

I arrived in Minneapolis on October 1st. At the airport, they had arranged a snack table (Yes! Some heroes had to travel from the other side of the world) and a driver to escort us to our hotel. When I got in the shuttle, I met 2 other heroes; Katie, a Canadian who also lives with diabetes, and Luciana, a young woman from Brazil who has a pacemaker to treat inappropriate sinus tachycardia and bradycardia. It felt like we’d known each other forever. Both ladies were so easy to chat with and by the time we arrived at our hotel, I knew we’d be friends for life.

That night, there was a welcome reception for the Global Heroes. It would be the very first time we all got to meet. I will admit I was a little nervous, but that feeling was soon replaced with excitement the moment I entered the room. That night, Rob and I met the most wonderful people. They were passionate, determined, strong, empowering, inspiring and humbly human, grateful for their second life.

Early the next morning, after our breakfast briefing, we visited the Medtronic Headquarters. What an experience! We met the scientists behind the life saving devices we were all intimately familiar with. I saw how Medtronic improved the insertion of the latest version of the glucose sensor I use by way of computer simulation. It was an incredible feeling to be able to say “Thank you.” The prior version was very painful to insert, but the new version is so improved that I don’t even feel it being inserted. I saw the work that went into the products and met the passionate people that make it happen.

Later that afternoon, we went on a tour of the marathon course. Wow! Were we really going to run THAT far? My favorite area was at Minihaha Falls (maybe I just like to say minihaha). I began to get a little nervous… This summer, Rob and I found it difficult to train for the marathon. It takes a lot of time to train plus running in Nashville humidity is far from easy. Oh well. Mentally, we were ready. The course was beautiful and I was grateful to have a perspective on “what to expect” during my run. I was also grateful to have medical technology that would enable me to run such a marathon! A few years ago, this would have been only a dream. My heart was full.

The day before the marathon was just lovely. It was a crisp fall day and the leaves were just starting to turn from their brilliant greens to a canopy of autumn warmth. We took team photos, did the annual team huddle, celebrated with a special alumni dinner (this was the 10th year so all prior Global Heroes were invited to partake) and relax a little before the marathon. Instead of relaxing (bad Laura), I spent some time at the Health and Fitness Expo and then met up with my parents who drove all the way from Southern Ontario to see me cross the finish line. How special!

Get Ready, Get Set – GO!

On marathon morning, Rob and I awoke at 4:30am after a very restless sleep. I had battled high blood sugars (likely from stress) all night, but thankfully they had stabilized. This is critical before a run. We had a nice breakfast with our fellow heroes in the hospitality suite; complete with oatmeal, fruit, toast, and more! Oh yes, and coffee.

By 6:45am we were on a shuttle bus that took us to the start line. I always love the atmosphere at the start line… the silence, the nervous chatter, the runners huddled together to keep warm, everything. You can also quickly tell who is running for fun and who are in a serious competition. Stay away from those dudes.

It’s called the Twin Cities Marathon because the marathon starts in Minneapolis and ends in St. Paul, Minnesota. The shuttle took forever… was I really going to run that far? The morning was beautiful though; a slight chill was in the air but I reminded myself that soon, my body would be warm… running. AND, before I knew it, we WERE running.The most memorable moment was just after the Start Line; Rob and I were captivated with the majestic Basilica of St. Mary and its bells chiming endlessly… congratulating all of us on our journey.

The most memorable moment was just after the Start Line; Rob and I were captivated with the majestic Basilica of St. Mary and its bells chiming endlessly… congratulating all of us on our journey.

Side by Side

Rob and I ran side by side the entire length of the marathon. The crowds cheered and kept us motivated. Every so often I’d hear, “Global Hero!” and I’d smile and wave; awestruck with such recognition. Hearing my name on the overhead sound system was truly surreal.

We stayed strong during those difficult 26.2 miles. We monitored our blood sugars continually  and enjoyed electrolytes at every single refreshment booth (every 2 miles). This helped us keep our blood sugars within a safe range. After mile 14, Rob’s feet started to hurt and we later discovered he was nursing some pretty major blisters. However, our energy remained high throughout.

Athletics is more than a hobby; it builds character and teaches you how to have faith in yourself when the goal seams too high.

As the finish line neared, we were ready for our journey to be over. It had been a long time coming; countless hours of training, preparation and planning… After all of this, our journey was finally coming to an end; flashbacks from our training runs made me proud to run beside Rob. He was my hero, my true support system; he challenged  me and was there every single day for me. There is no greater hero!

Athletics is more than a hobby; it builds character and teaches you how to have faith in yourself when the goal seams too high. As the finish line drew closer, we kept each other motivated with comments like, “Imagine we’ve only got 1 more loop around Vanderbilt” (one of our common running routes), or “We’re so close!” We never let each other fall. We are aware of each other’s special condition and watch to ensure neither of us have blood sugar issues. We’re a great team. I love that.

What Will I do with my Next Life?

That weekend, were all asked a question; “What will you do with your next life?” That question stirred in my mind throughout the run and has haunted me for the last several days. What will I do with my next life? My life is forever changed since accepting and using medical technology to improve my quality of life. Most certainly, I will pay it forward… but how?

My future hasn’t been written yet. What WILL I do with my next life? Only time will tell… but right now, I am working hard to align it and I’m excited about my future. I’m alive, the greatest blessing of all… but what will I do with my life and how will I pay it forward?

Crossing the Finish Line

The journey that led to the moment Rob and I crossed that finish line, is life itself. Our lives have been full of ups and downs much like the course that day. We’ve been supported in our journey (just like during the marathon, with thousands of supporters cheering as we passed by)… yet we always believed we traveled our road alone.

When Carrie Romero said, “It will change your life,” she was right. Coming back from the Medtronic Global Hero and Twin Cities Marathon weekend, I’ve realized that Rob and I are NOT alone. There are other type 1 diabetics battling the very same life challenges, every single day, just like us. We are not alone… and knowing that has made all the difference.

What will I do with my next life? I will use my passion, drive and determination to help others living with diabetes realize they are not alone either. Together we are stronger. Together, we can do anything.

“I will use my passion, drive and determination to help others living with diabetes realize they are not alone either. Together we are stronger. Together, we can do anything” ~ L. Gee