Bob Sobieski

When I was 10 years old I was diagnosed with type one diabetes. Today, I am 40.

When I got out of the hospital I did well. I got married had two kids and had a good job but my 30s were tough. When I was 31 I lost eighty-five percent of my eyesight to diabetic retinopathy. At 34 I went into end stage renal failure. At 35 I went on dialysis but in 2004 had a successful double organ transplant of a kidney-pancreas I thought life was great, but later my life took another turn for the worse. My best friend of over 35 years, Les, lost his battle to a rare bio duck cancer seven months after my transplant.

Les and I became bonded when I was first diagnosed. I felt abandoned at that time, in most of my other relationships. My wife, kids and Les stood by my side. Les made a difference in my life, treating me as a healthy and normal person not a visually impaired or disabled person.

So, I decided to show the world what Les taught me -- that my impairment would not hold me back from my personal goals and that it is not a crutch that can’t be overcome. In 2005 I decided I wanted to do a tour for diabetes. Many people said you can't do that because you can't see well and you are only a year out from your transplant but with a finish time of 4:20:00 for fifty miles I proved everyone wrong.

Since 2004 I've become a motional speaker on the effect for diabetes on the body and overcoming a disability. In 2006 I completed the 400 meter freestyle, 5k run, 1500 meter run, 20k bike road race at the National Kidney Foundation Transplant Games. I’ve also completed five triathlons.

When I give talks, I tell people to never let society tell you that you Can't, just show them you Can and to set a personal goal. You never know what will happen. Three and half years ago I did not have the strength to get off the floor, now I can complete a triathlon!

I hope to be able to do this for years to come and to show society that I am not dis-abled but ABLE.

Sincerely,
Robert Sobieski

Read This Newspaper Article About Me