Rodeo Queen Encourages Diabetes Awareness

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Story Published: Mar 24, 2008 at 10:20 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 7, 2008 at 1:20 PM MDT

By Wes Horrocks

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Tomorrow is American Diabetes Alert Day and one rodeo queens is encouraging kids with diabetes follow their dreams.

Samantha Golder is the 2007 Custer Stampede Rodeo Queen, she was also diagnosed with type one diabetes 15 years ago, and says diabetes should never hold you back. "You can follow your dreams, I did. It held be back for a long time, but I finally said 'Okay I'll try it," said rodeo queen Samantha Golder.

Since that time Samantha has started riding horses, became rodeo queen, and she's not done yet. She hopes to become a rodeo contestant. "I'd like actually to get into the WPRA and try and do bareback riding or saddle bronc riding."

Once she learned she could do anything she wants, she encouraged her friends to do the same. "I have several friends who are diabetic. They rodeo with me, they play basketball, they play softball, they play soccer, they don't let it limit them," said Golder.

Samantha is now using her status as rodeo queen to make more people aware of diabetes and some of the difficulties it can cause. "Some of the challenges have been not being able to go over to a friends house without them having to take the time to learn about what I have to have. How much I have to take for...what I have to take for food."

The American Diabetes Association started Diabetes Alert Day 20 years ago as a way to remind everyone about the seriousness of the disease, and to encourage those at risk to get tested. Some of the common risk factors for diabetes are age, weight, and family history. You can also talk to your doctor about getting tested.

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