This is Ainsley...Overcoming Obstacles
I can do anything you can do, except make insulin! On February 27, 2011, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). It has changed my life, but not necessarily for the worse. T1D has made me more responsible and more aware of my personal health today and for the rest of my life. I've had to grow in self-care and self-advocacy skills to be sure I can take care of myself. This coming summer holds a lot of promise for me; I will be receiving one of the first ever artificial pancreas pumps.
Before T1D, I played middle school volleyball. Over my four years on the team, only the last two were with T1D. I was the high scoring server with 210 points my 8th grade year.
As I moved to high school, I realized my health would be better if I had a long-term plan for exercise. That's when I started running cross country. Let's say that sprinting is not my thing and my parents were a little surprised by this change of sport. |
After learning that cross country races were not my thing, I set off to prove that Type 1 Diabetics can do anything, even run long distances.
I have completed two half marathons now. I ran the Santa Hustle in 2014. That was some race! It was in Pigeon Forge (very hilly) and the temperature never rose above 27 degrees. In 2015, I ran the Total Fitness Half Marathon and improved my PR by 20 minutes. My mom had this shirt made for me so I could have opportunities to talk about T1D with runners and bust perceptions about what "we" can and cannot do. |
I also have been an advocate for the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure. On each Tour day I rode my bicycle for 10 miles.
I have helped raise money for the Nashville chapter for four years and was asked to be their keynote speaker to kick off the ride in 2014. Click on the photo to the right to watch my opening speech. |