Good Luck, Charlie!

I originally wrote this post a year ago.  Today, it just as true!  Except that today is the 101st racing of the Indianapolis 500.  And as I write this, Charlie is holding steady around 5th place!  GO, Charlie, GO!


When you hear the phrase "Good Luck, Charlie" around our house, it's always been in reference to the Disney show by that name that Sweetpea adores!

Except for today...

Today we are saying "GOOD LUCK, CHARLIE!" to a different person for a very different reason.

Today is the 100th racing of the Indianapolis 500.

I've grown up watching this race.  Tradition, in my family, was picking drivers with my parents to see who could pick the winner.  We still do that.  Sweetpea picks, too (and somehow, always makes the best picks).

This year, there was one special driver set aside for HER to pick.  No one else was allowed to choose Charlie Kimball.

Because Charlie has Type 1 diabetes.  And Charlie wears a Dexcom.  (Read his story HERE)

Kimball drives the No. 83 car for Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing in the IZOD IndyCar Series and is the first licensed driver with diabetes in the history of INDYCAR.

You can find out more about Charlie on his website: www.charliekimball.com

You can also read some articles and watch some video of Charlie  HERE and HERE.

I'll leave you today with a little letter...

Charlie,
 We are so proud of you!  While we have no idea what it really takes to race at the highest level of racing, we do know a little of what it takes to manage diabetes.  Doing both... Wow.  We want to say THANK YOU.  Thank you for not backing down, for going for your dreams, and for not letting diabetes hold you back.  You are wonderful role model for our daughter - who we hope will also follow her dreams, in spite of having diabetes.  It is important for her to see you - someone LIVING with diabetes.  Someone else wearing a "Dexie".  We also want to say GOOD LUCK!  We will be cheering for you!