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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, December 8, 2016 | 2 0 Oakville teen takes case for diabetes research to Ottawa by Nathan Howes Oakville Beaver Staff Josh Williams hopes the federal government will lend more support to finding a cure for diabetes. The 16-year-old Oakville resident has been living with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) since April 2006. Williams was selected to go to Ottawa with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and a group of patient ambassadors from across Canada for the recent Kids for a Cure hobby Day He visited Parliament Hill from Nov 21-22 to push the federal government for improved support for research. "It' s a good way to spread my message and my thoughts on Type 1 diabetes, ways we can improve on what we're already doing in current systems and (what we have) proposed for the support of different research methods," Williams told the Oakville Beaver. "It' s been a great opportunity the last couple of times I've went. I really look forward to going each time I get selected." Kids for a Cure hobby Day is about community involvement and helping those who live with the disease spread awareness to those who "propose the bills, make the laws and can help get government support," Williams said. "It' s really about getting that personal Oakville teen Josh Williams, right, met with Oakville MP John Oliver, left, and other Parliament members in Ottawa on Kids for a Cure Lobby Day this week to urge the federal government to increase support for diabetes research. | submitted photo connection with local MPs and making sure everyone' s voices are being heard. My role is participating, getting to know my MPs and making sure they know my story and where I stand on this," said Williams. While in Ottawa, Williams met with Oakville MP John Oliver and other Parliament members to share his experience living with T1D. "I have never m et the MPs from our region. This was a new experience for them and me," he said. Williams hopes his trip to Parliament Hill will result in MPs joining an all-party caucus on juvenile diabetes to formulate strategies to fund research. "It' s also for our MPs to write a letter of support to the Minister of Health (Jane Philpott) to give funds to JDRF to keep furthering the research, prevention and treatment methods," said Williams. Shortly before the 16-year-old was diagnosed, Williams wasn't feeling well and he experienced a behaviour change, drank more water and was using the bathroom frequently, he described. "I wasn't as happy as I normally was. Typically, I'm quite a happy kid and I was only five. As I started acting differently, I went to see my family doctor and they sent me to the hospital, (where I was) diagnosed," said Williams. The disease has changed Williams' outlook on life since he' s had it for more than 10 years it' s "all I've ever really known," he said. The local youth quickly pointed out T1D has made him a better person, however. "I'm a lot more aware of myself and others. (I've learned to) support my community and other communities, so that kids don't have to live with this in the future," said Williams. "It' s something that runs in the background all the time and never stops. It' s something I'm always thinking about and making sure I'm paying attention." see Diabetes on p.22 TM O ft 3 IN W E D IT E B B A N C A n f TC www.montfortrestaurants.com B00nYO UR Ch r is t m a s OR CORPORATE FUNCTIONS NOW AND RECEiVE 10% OFF ExpiresDecember 31/2016 PIC-A-DELI W W e e ky Specials: Thursday Nights: D o m estic r-t. Pint & 1 lb of W ings $ 9 99 ; BUY ONE ENTREE DISH AND RECEIVE a nd entree dish j|; Not valid with any other offer. Expiry December 31,2016 b u y o n e p it a a n d r e c e iv e $6.00 OFF 2 * A 2ND PITA* D a ily s p e c ia l: Large 3 item P izza- * 9 " Dine In & Pick up only F eaturing Best M o n tre a l S m o k ed S a n d w ich es All D a y B reakfast. H o u rs : M o n d a y - S a tu r d a y 7 a m -1 a m h a lf p r ic e 3 7 6 Iroquois Shore Rd. O akville OFF Weekdays Ham-3am · Weekends 11am-4am Not valid with any other offer. Expiry December31,2016 9 0 5 .8 4 5 .7 9 3 7 C lo s e d S u n d a y s . 670 Fourth Line (9 0 5) 339-1905 SAN TO RIN I Voted Best Accountant by Oakville Beaver Readers for 10 Consecutive Years · Accounting · Auditing · Taxation R ick y W ong CPA, CA, M BA, B. Eng For more information please check our website www.rickywong.ca 905.582.4443 c- santorinihairandspa.com 1200 Speers Rd., Unit 32, Oakville, Ont. L6L 2X4 (905) 845 -1408 |Fax (905) 845 - 59311ricky@rickywong.ca