Overflowing gratitude

Photo credit Luc Arseneau

 
It was still only early November, but it felt like the dead of winter.  Days were getting shorter and temps had dropped drastically, the white snow-covered landscape and the white salt-stained streets made it feel more like the cold harsh days of January.  After close to a week in the hospital, we were all very tired and eager to go home and start this new life.  We didn’t really feel ready to leave yet and play this Type 1 game on our own.  We were still very dependent on the hospital staff since there was just so much information that we were still trying to absorb since the diagnosis.  But we were homesick and wanted out.  The only thing that we needed to do in order to be released was to give Adele her insulin injection.  The nurses wouldn’t be home with us and knowing that this was the deal for the “rest of Adele’s life” I figured that I just needed to man-up and get used to stabbing my 2 year old baby with a needle since we were going to have to do it many times each and every day from now on even if it made me nauseous just thinking about it.

We needed at least one person to hold Adele down while the other did the injection.  Even if it was close to 16 years ago, I still vividly remember the first injection that I gave her, trying so desperately to be gentle, all the while noticing that I needed to push harder and harder on the damn needle before it finally pierced through my baby’s skin.  It’s like her skin was resisting the injection as much as I was.  The moment felt like an eternity.  I felt like puking and crying at the same time but I just stuffed it all up inside and did what I had to do.  I just couldn’t accept that this was going to be it for the rest of her life…  And that’s when I promised that I would do whatever I could to try to fix this.  I would do whatever I could to try to fix this for Adele.  I would do whatever I could to try to fix this for the family that is going through the exact same thing in a hospital somewhere right now.  I didn’t know it then, but looking back that was the moment that the Cyclebetes seed was planted.

Photo credit Luc Arseneau

A whole lot has changed since that day in November.  My body is certainly much more weathered and worn out after all these years of playing this Type 1 game, but then again I also feel a bit wiser because of it.  Adele still hates the needles even after thousands of injections since her diagnosis in 2002.  And I am still keeping my promise to do what I can to try to fix this.  My pace has certainly slowed down but progress is progress and I still feel like we are getting closer to a Type 1 cure and better treatments with JDRF funded research projects like glucose-responsive insulin, the artificial pancreas, islet cell encapsulation and so many others.  The long-term outcome of a Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis has never looked so good. 

Photo credit Luc Arseneau

Deep down I believe that humans all long to make a difference.  We are all seeking purpose.  There is an inherent part of us that wants to and needs to help others.  How do we change the world?  We change the world by doing many seemingly insignificant good little things every single day in our little part of the world.  It all adds up in the end.  And the sum is a life lived with meaning.  That’s what can change the world.  Cultivate the compassion in you and let it seep into everything that you do.  Do your little part and leave a legacy.

Photo credit Sarah Lord

I am very happy to report that the 11^th annual Mike’s Bike Shop Cyclebetes ride to cure Type 1 Diabetes raised $20,000 for JDRF!  That brings our total to over $220,000 raised since 2007!  Looking at these numbers I realize that this isn’t a small feat for such a small bunch of cyclists; possibly even more impressive is the fact that next year will be our 12^th year.  So many events like this die after a few years.  Like the 24-7, no vacations ever work required to play the Type 1 game, we must persist.  Insulin is not a cure.  It is only life-support.  We deserve better.  We deserve a cure.

Photo credit Luc Arseneau

The Mike’s Bike Shop Cyclebetes ride to cure Type 1 Diabetes cause is and will always be mine but the event itself now really belongs to our main sponsor, Mike’s Bike Shop.  Rick Snyder, thank you so much for stepping up and running with the event.  Your generosity and undying support continue to amaze me each and every year.  The MBS Cyclebetes ride would simply not exist, especially after 11 years, without you.  Thank you also to the rest of the organizing committee who give so much of their time and energy throughout the year.  Thank you so very much Pablo Vergara and Luc Belliveau for all that you do for Cyclebetes and JDRF.  Thank you Gilles Gallant, NB and PEI JDRF engagement coordinator for all your help which goes beyond your expected role at JDRF.  The MBS Cyclebetes ride wouldn’t exist without your involvement.  We do make a very good team.  I am so very grateful to have people like you in my life that I can call amazing friends.  Thank you.

Photo credit Luc Arseneau

Thank you Brett Wilson, JDRF kids ambassador and his parents Carrie and Jason for accepting to make an appearance at the ride just in time for the group photo.  Thank you Carrie, as well as Brett, for your speech before the afternoon group left for their ride.  You embody the innocent faces behind Type 1 Diabetes and reminded everyone what the ride was really about.  Thank you.

Photo credit Luc Arseneau

Thank you all that rode and fundraised.  I am always floored by your generosity and willingness to help get us closer to a cure.  A special thank you to the riders who really went above and beyond, putting in the extra effort in order to reach and even surpass their lofty fundraising goals, especially those with no ties to Type 1 Diabetes.  I hope that you all enjoyed the ride and event!  Thank you.

Photo credit Luc Arseneau

Thank you Luc Arseneau for the awesome event photos.  I know that was a HUGE undertaking with an incredible amount of effort involved.  Thank you so much for stepping up to the challenge and delivering with an amazing collection of shots that will forever remind us of such an awesome day.

Photo credit Luc Arseneau

Thank you to all of our sponsors:  Scotiabank, Sobey’s in Dieppe, MacDonald Buick GMC, Giant bikes / Guy Pellerin of Pellerin Sports, City of Dieppe, Cavok Brewing Co., Cape Bald Packers, Terry Tomlin of Tomlin Sports Marketing, Starbucks, Kevin Noiles of Lambert, Pat Bolduc of Big Ring Sports, Nomad Supply Co.,  Trek Bicycles / Bontrager, Mexicali Rosa’s, Moxie’s Bar and Grill, Dooly’s, Dieppe Imaging,  DNA Swag Inc., Dieppe IGA / Coop, Long and McQuade, Vins Dandurand, Chris Mitton and Jim Currie.  Thank you.

Photo credit Luc Arseneau

And last but certainly not least, thank you to all of our other dedicated volunteers:  Jeff Currie, Bill Goobie, Martin Pelletier, Charles Cormier, Diane Duguay, Janice Evers, Gerry Allain, Elmer Wade, Pete Cormier, Brian Bourgeois and Dyane, Steve Kikkert, Serge Noel, Rhonda Currie, Caroline Belliveau, Tania Morais, Rachel Parkins and Michele LeBlanc.  Events like these can’t happen without help from people like you.  Thank you. 

If I have forgotten anyone, I apologize and want to thank you as well.

Photo credit Luc Arseneau

We are already starting to plan the 12^th edition of Mike’s Bike Shop Cyclebetes.  Mark the date: Saturday, September 7^th, 2019.  I really hope that you can join us !

Photo credit Luc Arseneau

All online fundraising pages will still work until the end of the year so you can still donate here...  2018 Mike’s Bike Shop Cyclebetes Ride to Cure Type 1 Diabetes.

I am forever humbled by your love and support…

Peace

Mike