Albert Ford: Town Hall

The afternoon of day one of the 2007 Children’s Congress consisted of training for how the delegates and their guardians will approach their experience at Capitol Hill tomorrow.  The delegates were treated to power point presentations from some experts on how the delegates/parents can be successful while talking to their legislators in Congress tomorrow.

After these meetings, we all took a quick 30 minute snack break and then re-convened for our Town Hall meeting.  This meeting consisted of a panel of celebrity athletes.  They were Kendall Simmons, an offensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dexter Bean, a stock-car driver on the ARCA RE/MAX circuit, Adam Morrison, an up and coming NBA star who plays for the Charlotte Bobcats, and Michelle McGann who is an all-star golfer in the Ladies Professional Golf Association.

Mr. Simmons credited most of his success with diabetes from help from his family and friends.  As Mr. Simmons said, diabetes not only affects the person with it, but all who surround him/her and it is so important to have the support of family and friends.

Before each one of his races, Mr. Bean says he checks his blood sugar and makes sure it is slightly higher so the risk of going low during the race is not as likely.  In case he goes low, he carries a Gatorade in his car so he can “reload” and have a steady blood sugar.

Mr. Morrison is a true example of how kids can succeed in athletics even with diabetes.  He was an all-star college player and was drafted third overall in the 2006 NBA Draft, all of which he did with diabetes.  It is so much easier these days, because of the top notch care that is available, to not let diabetes hold one back in athletics or whatever field one is passionate about.

Ms. McGann also has a systematic approach on how she keeps her sugar levels normal while she is out on the golf course.  She says that the way she keeps her sugars in check is by staying hydrated (a good tip for all of the younger golfers out there).  Also, she eats a piece of a Zone Bar after every three holes.  She checks her glucose level after 9 holes.

We were also treated Aaron Kowalski, Ph.D., scientific program manager for JDRF's Artificial Pancreas Project.  His work is a true testament as to how far diabetes has come with the new technology that is really improving the lives of diabetics everywhere.  His work is inspiring to those who are sometimes dismayed because they might think that nothing is being done to help with the technological aspect of diabetes management.

The emcees of the event were Brian Kenny and John Saunders who are ESPN/ABC sportscasters.

The panel showed to be the true role models that we as kids think of them as.  They show that diabetes does not get in the way of their everyday lives, does not get in the way of sports, and ultimately, they are better for it because diabetes keeps them disciplined in other aspects of their lives.