David (Billy) Cole

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hello, my name is David (Billy) Cole. At the age of 15 I was a non-stop sports athlete. While playing baseball, basketball, and skateboarding I had no time for any side distractions.

One day while skateboarding I had torn ligaments in my leg and could not keep active for a few weeks. While I was relaxing and letting myself heal I began to feel very sick and had never felt these symptoms before.

As I went into the hospital to see why I was feeling this way I was told the life changing news that I was a type 1 diabetic. For someone who is 15 years old and just starting to see the world as I had planned I was struck with this disease that is incurable.

Without my parents Amy and Bill as well as my grandparents Jean and Bill I would not be the person that I am today. Their constant support in dealing with type 1 diabetes kept me strong and helped me to understand the disease as I do today.

Being a type 1 diabetic has not only helped me in the path that I chose as I grew older but also helped me to understand that this is a very livable disease and no dream is impossible. I am now a 24 year old graduate of Point Park University with a bachelors degree in Cinema and Digital Arts and taking on each challenge as they come.

I think that a cure for diabetes is in the near future and when that day comes we will all celebrate together on this earth. From country to country millions are dealing with the same thing that I am including medication, injections, constant blood sugar monitoring, and constant doctors visits. A cure would help everyone to be able to reach every dream that they can possibly have without the worry of insurance complications or medical assistance.

My name is Billy Cole and I am a type 1 diabetic. Let's work together to find the cure.