During my training for the last marathon, I had some wonderful comment and email exchanges from Catherine W, and a ton of support there. ironically, she works and lives in Phoenix though we never met (and certainly not on race day as she was way ahead of my time).
She wrote me about a neat program from Medtronic, makers of my insulin pump, their Global Heroes program, “Celebrating the passion and accomplishments of runners who benefit from medical technology”:
Running long distances was never meant to be easy. It becomes even harder when the body becomes a barrier. For runners diagnosed with medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, spinal disorders, chronic pain or neurological disorders, that is the reality. Yet the passion for running remains.
Medtronic proudly recognizes these runners as Global Heroes, in a first-of-its-kind program that brings people running from around the world with medical devices to Minnesota to run in Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon events.
In 2008, up to twenty-five Global Heroes will be selected and awarded their Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon or Medtronic TC 10 Mile Race entry fees, an exclusive travel package, recognition throughout the race, and a $1,000 grant to an associated patient organization.
Catherine went on to nominate me, and my excitement level was high until I got an email asking me to verify their program guidelines where it says:
Runners 40 years and older, who have had diabetes for more than 15 years, are ineligible.
WTF?
Why would a program rule out people who have dealt with an illness a long time and still are able to run distances? What does it say about a program that only wants young heroes? I am struggling to even see a reason for such a thing.
I am crushed.
Is this my first time of age discrimination?
I am crushed. Why should I get back running nextw eek if I am too old or have lived healthy with diabetes too long?
I am crushed.
Update: Upon asking the reasn “why” via e-mail, this is the explanation:
I apologize that you are not eligible for the program. The health and safety of our Global Heroes is of utmost importance to us. We worked closely with Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon medical staff in developing medical criteria for all potential Global Heroes.
As cardiovascular risks associated with diabetes mellitus increase with longevity of the disease, with a rise in risk of sudden death from atherosclerotic causes for people over 40, it was determined to limit the age of diabetic runners.
Every year the medical criteria for the Global Heroes program will be reviewed and re-evaluated. Your input will help us during this evaluation process.
You want review? YOUR PROGRAM SUCKS. What exactly is the message you promote? That people over 40 or have lived with diabetes 15 years should not be active? This is shameful, shameful, and I am making it my new mission to let as many people know as possible.
I know my health much better than some “medical staff”.
Pffftttttt on you and your program.
Did you know... Winnie Mandela, South African anti-apartheid leader is diabetic (from Diabetes Health Magazine)
See more diabetic facts...
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