Wow!
My timeline on Twitter and Facebook blew up last night as Ryan Reed won the Florida 300 at Daytona. Four years after he was told a type 1 diabetes diagnosis meant he would never race again, Reed got his first NASCAR victory. Very cool.
We first met Reed at a local JDRF event, in 2011. He was immediately active in the diabetes community; by denying his doctor and pursuing his dreams he became an inspiring role model. We met him again last year, after he’d signed with the ADA and the Drive to Stop Diabetes. Still the same kid, just trying to manage his diabetes and race.
I hope Ryan Reed has tons of NASCAR fans who have no idea he has T1D. I’m sure he has fans who don’t care that he has a Dexcom (just like Benny’s!) mounted to his dashboard and who don’t wonder what his blood sugar was when he crossed the finish line (yeah, I’m curious. Guessing high, due to the adrenaline). I do know that when he won, the diabetes community went bananas.
WOOOOHOO!!! RT @LillyDiabetes: Congratulations to Lilly #Diabetes ambassador @driverRyanReed for his win in Daytona! http://t.co/EZjrxMae13
— Manny Hernandez (he, him, his) (@askmanny) February 22, 2015
@driverRyanReed Congratulations on yesterday's win. Welcome to the club! Winning at @DISupdates is special- enjoy the feeling!!!
— Charlie Kimball (@racewithinsulin) February 22, 2015
"Four years ago, I was diagnosed with Type 1 #Diabetes, was told I would never drive a racecar again "Oh my god, we won Daytona!" Ryan Reed
— Ellen H Ullman Ⓥ (@CureT1Diabetes) February 22, 2015
So happy for @driverRyanReed. My cousin has Diabetes and he's an athlete too…Ryan is a shining example for all kids facing adversity.
— Jamie Little (@JamieLittleTV) February 21, 2015
Upset: @driverRyanReed passes @keselowski on final lap for 1st career win. Race Recap» http://t.co/nuw48JC4AB #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/RcqLNzn8qr
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 21, 2015
No words can describe this. pic.twitter.com/hLVeiyIjxX
— Ryan Reed (@driverRyanReed) February 22, 2015
Congratulations, Ryan. Hope to see you soon!
