The last mile of the opening 5k of the marathon and it is for someone that has always believed in me. As life goes on our views on life and the world change. If someone had told me when I was twenty that I would be living a life that centered around diabetes I wouldn't have believed them. If they went on to tell me that I would meet someone that would change my life at a diabetes event I would have asked what they were drinking.
In the fall of 2011 Leanne and I were on our way to Boston for the American Diabetes Associations (ADA) Step Out walk. At this time I had a dream of a partnership between the ADA and pro hockey franchise which I called the "Shut out diabetes campaign" The idea was simple, find a big business to donate a preset amount of money to the ADA for each shutout that the hockey team recorded. I had been working on this partnership for a year and heard nothing but no from big business and from New England pro franchises, from NHL teams to MLS teams I was laughed at when presenting my idea. I was just about to give up on that idea as we headed to Boston, the walk would be my last chance to find someone that believed in me and my dream.
As the we got to the walk I was told that I had to introduce myself to a man by the name of Jamin Reda. As the walk was going on I was searching for Jamin, I felt like I was in a where's Waldo book. I had been all over and couldn't find Jamin but just as Leanne and I were getting ready to leave Jamin came up and introduced himself. I had about a minute to pitch my idea, he said "I like it, here's my card send me an email with all of the information." I thought to myself here we go again another sent email with my idea that won't get answered.
A week later Jamin and I would meet in Providence and a friendship was formed. Jamin and I planned for months on how to make this dream a reality. We would meet with the Worcester Sharks to pitch our idea, Jamin seated next to me being the business man that cleaned up the loose ends. As time went on the dream became a reality for one season. I could write for days about the struggle and the tears that came while chasing the dream but none of it would have happened if not for Jamin.
Since that meeting five years ago Jamin has been a true friend that believes in me no matter what. If I told Jamin I wanted to live on Mars he would be the one giving it his all to make that dream a reality. From family dreams to work dreams Jamin has been the one to say "You can do it!!" When others laugh Jamin is finding a way to help me.
The sign of a true friend is one that no matter the situation in his or her life they go out of their way to ask about their friends family, work and life in general. Jamin has taught me that dreams come true. He has and will always be there supporting me and has believed in my ultimate goal of working for the company that employs him. Running Chicago and mile three will be one that brings a smile to my face and some laughter.
In the fall of 2011 Leanne and I were on our way to Boston for the American Diabetes Associations (ADA) Step Out walk. At this time I had a dream of a partnership between the ADA and pro hockey franchise which I called the "Shut out diabetes campaign" The idea was simple, find a big business to donate a preset amount of money to the ADA for each shutout that the hockey team recorded. I had been working on this partnership for a year and heard nothing but no from big business and from New England pro franchises, from NHL teams to MLS teams I was laughed at when presenting my idea. I was just about to give up on that idea as we headed to Boston, the walk would be my last chance to find someone that believed in me and my dream.
As the we got to the walk I was told that I had to introduce myself to a man by the name of Jamin Reda. As the walk was going on I was searching for Jamin, I felt like I was in a where's Waldo book. I had been all over and couldn't find Jamin but just as Leanne and I were getting ready to leave Jamin came up and introduced himself. I had about a minute to pitch my idea, he said "I like it, here's my card send me an email with all of the information." I thought to myself here we go again another sent email with my idea that won't get answered.
A week later Jamin and I would meet in Providence and a friendship was formed. Jamin and I planned for months on how to make this dream a reality. We would meet with the Worcester Sharks to pitch our idea, Jamin seated next to me being the business man that cleaned up the loose ends. As time went on the dream became a reality for one season. I could write for days about the struggle and the tears that came while chasing the dream but none of it would have happened if not for Jamin.
Since that meeting five years ago Jamin has been a true friend that believes in me no matter what. If I told Jamin I wanted to live on Mars he would be the one giving it his all to make that dream a reality. From family dreams to work dreams Jamin has been the one to say "You can do it!!" When others laugh Jamin is finding a way to help me.
The sign of a true friend is one that no matter the situation in his or her life they go out of their way to ask about their friends family, work and life in general. Jamin has taught me that dreams come true. He has and will always be there supporting me and has believed in my ultimate goal of working for the company that employs him. Running Chicago and mile three will be one that brings a smile to my face and some laughter.
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