Q. Where are you from?

Q. What’s your story?
A. Born 2 minutes apart, Alex was first diagnosed at 18 months, and Andrew was diagnosed at the age of 7.  We have never looked at diabetes as a handicap, and have accomplished much in both academics, sports and travel!  Both of us are currently on the pump.  University was spent at Queen’s, McMaster and UofT pursuing education in medicine and engineering.  Our parents are our role models for providing us with a healthy and hardworking ethic both in work and play!

Q. What was your insulin regime like when you were first diagnosed with diabetes?
A. It has gotten much easier, less painful, and more flexible since we were first diagnosed.  Using a pump has made a world of a difference in allowing for discreet dosing and minor interruptions to our daily life.

Q. What are the top 5 most played songs on your iTunes?
A. Top 40!

Q. What are the coolest thing you’ve done as people with diabetes?
A. We have canoe-tripped in Algonquin, snowboarded in Whistler, backpacked in Europe, camped in the Middle East, hiked in South America, and eaten lots of strange foods in Asia!  Not because we are diabetic, but because diabetes does not control us!  A recent great opportunity for us was to speak at the annual Diabetes Day weekend at the Hospital for Sick Children, our childhood hospital, to let other diabetics know that there are no restrictions with this disease!

Q. What keeps you ‘in motion’?
A. We always love to be active!  Growing up as competitive swimmers, we were fortunate enough to be medalists at the high school OFSAA championships, as well as record holders within our swimming region!  We have been a member of volleyball, basketball, inner-tube waterpolo, dragon boat, cross-country, rugby, ultimate frisbee teams and many more!  No sport is out of our scope, and we embrace the work hard, play hard mentality!

Q. Do you have a blog or link you’d like to include?
A. http://www.facebook.com/aanda.yeung

Q. Where are you from?

Q. What’s your story?
A. I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2002 at the age of 22.  I have been on the pump for 2.5 years now.  I’m an outdoor enthusiast and endurance addict.  I studied Architectural Technology and I’m a residential design/drafter.

Q. What was your insulin regime like when you were first diagnosed with diabetes?
A. I was diagnosed in 2002 so I was on pen needles.  I had syringes for my Lantus.  Switching to the pump has its hassles but makes life so much easier for an exercise addict like myself.

Q. What is the coolest thing you’ve done as a person with diabetes?
A. I went to Taiwan and taught English for 2 years.  I backpacked around Asia for 4 months visiting Thailand, India, Laos and Cambodia.  I’ve camped in the dead of winter and the sweltering heat of summer.

I would like Diabetes to take me places and help educate others.  I want to get more involved in the community.  Most importantly I’d like to meet other like-minded D-folks in my area.

Q. What keeps you ‘in motion’?
A. Long distance runner and endurance cyclist.  I’ve ran some half marathons, the 30k around the bay race here in Hamilton and I’m now training for my first marathon.  I regularly cycle hundreds of kilometers every summer.  I love going to the gym and working out.

I’ve completed some solo backpacking trips and even got air lifted off the west coast trail by helicopter.

Q. Do you have a blog or link you’d like to include?
A. www.canadiandgal.blogspot.com

Q. Where are you from?

Q. What’s your story?
A. I’ve had diabetes for 13 years now and only began really connecting with other diabetics this year, through sports camps for type 1′s. It has been one of the most encouraging things for me to see other diabetics being active and fighting to stay healthy.

Q. What was your insulin regime like when you were first diagnosed with diabetes?
A. I took shots for 11 years before switching to the insulin pump… and I would not go back to the “old methods” again!!

Q. What are the top 5 songs on your iTunes?
A. Held, by Natalie Grant
My Generation, by Starfield
There will be a day, by Jeremy Camp
Homesick, by Mercy Me
Crazy little thing called love

Q. What is the coolest thing you’ve done as a person with diabetes?
A. 2 sprint triathlons in summer of 2010 (Boulder, Colorado and Montreal, Quebec)

Q. What keeps you ‘in motion’?
A. I enjoy triathlon training and weight training but when I really want to relax and have fun, I go hiking, cross-country skiing or simply enjoy the outdoors

Q. Where are you from?
A.

Q. What’s your story?
A. I was diagnosed at the end of July 2009 at age 20. I work for a local conservation authority during the summer months, spending a lot of time outside while completing environmental field work. My hobbies include Nature Photography, Dancing, Painting, Hiking and Canoeing. I have a great support system which include my parents Lynn and Brian, my boyfriend and my friends.

Q. What was your insulin regime like when you were first diagnosed with diabetes?
A. My Treatment has gone through many changes since diagnosis in July 2009.  In the first 3 months, my sugars were controlled with strict dietary modifications, without the help of insulin/medication. In September 2009 I was rediagnoised as a “Type 1.5″ by my endocrinologist. I started medication usually used for Type 2 patients in 2010 (metformin and januvia). Then I was re-diagnosed back to Type 1 in October 2010 as pancreas function rapidly declined. I began Lantus prescribed in November 2010 with Metformin pills for 1 month. In Decomber 2010 I began MDI’s of Apidra and Lantus and discontinued the oral medications. As of May 17, 2011, I now use the Medtronic Paradigm Veo pump!

Q. What is the coolest thing you’ve done as a person with diabetes?
A. I learned to Cook and adopted much healthier eating habits after i was diagnosed.  I also participated in the JDRF walk in Belleville in May 2010, participating again in 2011 with a large group of friends and family! I attended my first Connected in Motion Event, Winter Slipstream 2011, and have since been out to the 2011 Summer Canoe Trip. I’m already registered for Winter Slipstream 2012!

Q. What keeps you ‘in motion’?
A. I was a Dancer for 14 years (began at age 5), which included tap, jazz and acro. I was an assistant dance teacher in my last 2 years. Had to discontinue dance when I moved away to school, but I am currently taking a recreational dance class, and dancing whenever I can!

I love spending time outside, whether it be with work, or on my leisure time. My cottage is one of my favorite places to be, where i enjoy hiking, biking and canoeing and in the summer.

Website: http://meredithmillerphotography.webs.com/

Q. Where are you from?

Q. What’s your story?
A. I got diabetes when I was 12 yrs old, turning 27 this year. I am currently taking Lantus and Novo rapid insulin….and am currently waiting (anxiously) for the endocronologist to call so I can go in and see about getting the pump! Ms.Steepe has convinced me

I’ve always been an outdoor enthusiast. So much so that I went to school for Conservation Enforcement and and worked as a Resource Officer out in Manitoba. Falcon Lake is my second home! I moved back to Alberta a couple yrs ago to be closer to my family and am now doing odd jobs as I go back to school to become a personal trainer!

Back to the outdoors……My fiance and I are rock climbers, ice climbers, skiers, hikers, snowshoers, winter and summer campers, mountain bikers, ice skaters, hunters, fishers…we dabble in all the activities!

Q. What was your insulin regime like when you were first diagnosed with diabetes?
A. When i was first diagnosed I started with good old fashioned NPH and Toronto insulin……I injected 2x a day…..7am and 6pm. I stayed that way for sooooo many years, then was told about lantus and novo rapid. So that’s what I have been using for a few years now….

Testing my blood sugar was like clock work when first diagnosed….I had a mum that was all over it like white on rice! 4-6x daily……then i went through a period where i felt i didn’t have to test as much through the day (must have been teenage angst). Today I am testing about 4x daily(minimum), gives me piece of mind and I find I have better control!!!!

Q. What are the top 5 songs on your iTunes?
A. Songs are hard to narrow down…..Top 5 artists I am currently listening to on the ol’ ipod are:

Florence and the Machine
Grace Potter and The Nocturnals
The Prodigy
Rihanna
oh…and the song Your Name by Swedish House Mafia

Q. What keeps you ‘in motion’?
A.T o stay active, besides going outdoors, I do Crossfit….started about 4yrs ago and I fell in love…every workout is different and you are constantly in competition with yourself to beat past times, and personal records. It’s very rewarding! I would love to one day compete in the Crossfit games…..one day……..I am also a hot yoga enthusiast!

Q. What’s your story?
A. I have been diabetic for 23 years, I was diagnosed in 1987 at the ripe ol’ age of 3. Since 2006 I have been a proud pumper. Before that I was injecting up to 6 times a day, as well as testing up to 8 times a day… kinda felt like a pin-cushion!

I live with my boyfriend of 4 years; Ashley and our 2 dogs, Cracker and Caius. Straight out of highschool I went to Flemming College for the law clerk program.  I hated it and quit after realizing I didn’t want to be behind a desk as a pencil pusher the rest of my life (no offence to office workers!). I then worked in the construction field for 5 years paving roads. One day in the winter I had the idea to go back to school, so I did! I took the Dental Office, Chairside Assistant Intr-oral Level 2 program at Everest College, graduated with honours and have been working in the dental field for almost 2 years now!

I am in love with the outdoors. Any chance I get I’m strapping on my hiking boots to head out into the bush (no trail necessary; just a map, compass and mother nature herself). Or I’m loading my wonderful boyfriend and two dogs into our canoe to head off to remote lakes, tiny creeks, wide rivers and the odd over-flow pond.

Q. What was your insulin regime like when you were first diagnosed with diabetes?
A. 2 Needles a day (morning and night) Humulin NPH and Humulin R, and test four times daily.

I’m now a pumper using Novorapid and I test upwards of six times per day.

Q. What are the top 5 songs on your iTunes?
A. “Something” The Beatles
“Dead leaves on the dirty ground” White Stripes
“Milk” Kings of Leon
“Wild Mountian Honey” Steve Miller Band
“The Weight” The Band

Q. What is the coolest thing you’ve done as a person with diabetes?
A. I always like to say that diabetes has given me so much more in my life than it has taken away, and that’s nothing but the truth.
I’ve traveled across seas to the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Northern and Southern Ireland. I’ve also been to a lot of places in South America.

My family were always avid Nascar fans growing up, so I got the opportunity to meet a lot of drivers.  Bill Elliot actually bought me my very first sugar-free ice cream when I was 7!

Q. What keeps you ‘in motion’?
A. Canoeing
Hiking
Kayaking
Biking
Generally being outdoors!

My claim to fame is paddling 48kms in one day on one crazy trip with Ashley and Cracker (we didn’t have Caius at this point) it included a 2km portage.

Q. Where are you from?

A. I was born and raised in Brantford, Ontario! I go to school in London, Ontario but, by far, Brantford is where I call home.

Q. What’s your Story?
A. I was diagnosed with diabetes on March 13th, 2009 and have been living with diabetes for just over one year. I began managing my diabetes using injections but have recently become a pumper!

I am currently going to school at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario and will be attending Kings/Western University in the Fall of 2011.

My hobbies include doing anything creative (especially scrapbooking and writing). I also like to run! My entire family–my fifteen-year-old sister, Abby; my mom, Donna; and my Dad, Mike–have all participated in Connected in Motion events, as has my boyfriend of a year and a half, Clinton! I also have some awesome friends (like Sam and Michelle!) who like to come out to events as well. I have an amazing team of supporters!

I believe that I have been given a great opportunity because of my diabetes to reach out to so many other diabetics around the world through my blog (check it out at http://kaylaslifenotes.blogspot.com)

I have also been featured in my local newspaper a few times which has allowed me to express just how much diabetes has changed me (in a good way!)

Q. What was your insulin regime like when you were first diagnosed with diabetes?
A.

Q. What are the top 5 songs on your iTunes?
A. Moment 4 Life – Nicki Minaj
Coming Home – Diddy ft. Skylar Grey
Hello –  Martin Solveig &Dragonette
Avril Lavigne – What the Hell
Knock Out – Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Wayne

Q. What keeps you ‘In Motion’?

A. I credit being diagnosed with diabetes just over a year ago for pushing me to become a better and more involved person. Before my diagnosis, I was no where near as active and involved as I am now.  Since being diagnosed with diabetes, I have competed in two 5k adventure races, played in a beach volleyball tournament and met a lot of amazing people!

To stay active, I like to run and ride my bike.  I also enjoy rock climbing and just simply playing around outside!  You can often find me outside hiking on trails or just playing around with a ball.

Blog

Keep up to date on my adventures by following my blog at: http://kaylaslifenotes.blogspot.com/

Q. Where are you from?
A.

Q. What’s your Story?
A. I have been a diabetic since I was 5 years old and am now 29 going on 30–approximately 25 years!  I am currently using a Paradigm pump and loving it!  In my spare time I love being outdoors–hiking with my dog Sydney, camping with friends, sitting around a campfire in my backyard.

I have a younger sister, Erin.  She, along with my parents have been a huge support system for me through the years.  I’m happy to say that now my support system has grown thanks to Connected in Motion!

Q. What is the coolest thing you’ve done as a person with diabetes?
A. I worked at a summer camp for children with diabetes years ago–that was a wonderful experience.  To be able to educate young kids and to provide a fun and active environment for them to just be kids was something that I will never forget.   Now, of course, being able to help out where I can with Connected in Motion events is a fulfilling experience for me!  In particular, I helped to organize our 2010 Summer Canoe Trip and the World Diabetes Day Photo Scavenger Hunt.  Hard work, eye opening and so much fun

Q. How do you keep ‘in motion’?
A. To stay active I get outside.  I love taking my dog for hikes whenever I can.  When I can get out on a camping trip I love interior camping–portaging may not seem like fun at first, but the sense of accomplishment at the end is unforgettable.  I recall, during our Connected in Motion canoe trip the sense of accomplishment from all participants when we conquered one of the last portages–And believe me it was a big one!  It was a very proud moment for everyone involved.  Swimming also is a great way to stay fit and I swim when I can.

Hometown

What’s your story?
Margaux is 20 years old and has had diabetes for 3 years.  She has been on the pump for 2 of those years and also use a CGM! Margaux completed two years at the University of Victoria but has decided to take some time off from her studies and head out on an adventure!

The coolest thing Margaux has done while living with diabetes is the very adventure that she is on right now! Margaux is living in Paris for a year as an aupair for a French family. She packed up her life and moved to France in order to see the world and to take the time to figure out what she is going to do with the rest of her life.  Although having diabetes didn’t give her this opportunity, it sure didn’t stop her!!

What keeps you ‘in motion’?
To stay in motion, Margaux likes to run and play volleyball.  After the trip to Garibaldi Provincial Park with Connected in Motion, Margaux has a new found interest in hiking and backpacking!  She also loves to travel as well as to dance and sing (but only when she’s by herself!)

Hometown

Christina’s hometown, and the place she still calls home, is North Vancouver, British Columbia.

What’s your story?

Christina has had diabetes for 8 years and is the proud user of Medtronic insulin pump!  Her hobbies include hiking, swimming, running, argentine tango, salsa, horseback riding, photography and writing.

What keeps you ‘in motion’?

While living with diabetes, where in the world has Christina been?  Perhaps a better question would be where hasn’t Christina been?  Christina has traveled through most of Europe and parts of South America. She has swam in every ocean she had the opportunity to swim in, has zip-lined from one tree to the other, has walked with wolves in British Columbia, has fed a lion in Spokane, Washington.  Christina believes: ‘diabetes ain’t never slowin’ me down!’

Pauline was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario.  She spent her summers outdoors at the family cottage where she developed a love of the outdoors–rain or shine. Pauline also lived and studied in Ottawa for 10 years.

What’s your story?

Pauline has had diabetes for 39 years! She began using a pump in 2009.

Pauline completed an undergraduate degree in Ottawa and recently finished her M.Ed degree at OISE in Toronto while working full-time at the University of Toronto.  After all of that studying, Pauline now finds herself very tired of sitting and still and cringes when she sees a desk chair!  Luckily, Pauline has become actively involved with Connected in Motion!

Pauline no longer thinks of diabetes as a limiting factor in her day to day life.  If there is something she wants to do, she finds a way to get it done!  “Organizations like Connected In Motion provide the opportunity to share information on how to handle the challenges that present themselves when trying something new.”  Thanks Pauline!

What keeps you ‘in motion’?
Hobbies that Pauline enjoys include kayaking, canoeing, hiking, snowshoeing–anything outdoors really!  She loves taking road trips as long as they include a mixture of outdoor activity, visiting interesting locations (She’s been to the Zippo Museum and the World’s Biggest Baseball, for example) and meeting new people.

Of all of the activities Pauline enjoys, kayaking is her escape.  Trips she has taken include a 1 week whitewater course where it rained all day and night for 5 days straight!  She has been kayaking in Georgian Bay, Cape Breton (with a tropical storm on the last night of camping!) and the Highlands of Scotland.

Recently (and to celebrate the complete of my M.Ed.), went on a road trip to Lake Superior where I kayaked, hiked, and camped my way from Toronto to Thunder Bay and back.

Future events will include whatever I can get myself into, including sky diving, hang gliding, a canoe trip on the Nahanni, and a trip to the West Coast.

Leanne is a school teacher, a coach and an athlete. She is currently on a Leave of Absence from her teaching position in Toronto to pursue her paddling more competitively. She coaches Soccer, Track and Field, Outrigger and Marathon Canoeing and Dragon Boat.

Leanne competes internationally in Outrigger Canoe Racing as well as Dragon Boat. In 2008, she placed 4th in the world at the Outrigger Sprint Championships and won 3 silver medals as part of Team Canada. In 2009 came home from the World Dragon Boat Championships with 2 gold, a silver and a bronze as a member of Team Canada.

Leanne is on what she calls her “Adventure”. Once the 2009 school year was done, Leanne packed up her life, loading it into her car with her canoe on top and drove out west to train in British Columbia in preparation for the 2010 World Outrigger Sprint Championships being held in May.

Leanne enjoys talking to people at various paddling competitions about “that thing attached to her side” (being her insulin pump, of course!!).  She loves educating people about what Type 1 Diabetes is and the advantages of her insulin pump. Leanne has met many new people because of her Diabetes.

What Keeps You in Motion?
Leanne likes to keep busy so she spends her time enjoying various activities such as: paddling, climbing, running, weight training, yoga, baseball, hiking, camping, swimming, hockey, walking, biking and you may see her getting into triathlons in the near future.

Words of Diabetes Wisdom
“Diabetes doesn’t limit what I can do.  It motivates me to push my limits!”

Website/Blog
http://www.leannestanley.com

What’s your story?

Jen was diagnosed with diabetes when she was three years old. She grew up on a farm in Sunderland, Ontario with two younger brothers and two younger sisters. When she was eight years old she became a camper at Camp Huronda and spent the next eighteen summers on the shores of Lake Waseosa working as a counsellor, pottery instructor, climbing tower instructor, challenge course instructor and program director! Jen had the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica in 2008 and teach at an environmentally focused experiential school in the mountains of Monte Verde. Since then she has been keen to expand her traveling horizons! Instead of limiting her, Jen believes that diabetes has allowed her countless opportunities and is grateful for all of the amazing people she has met because of it!

How do you keep ‘in Motion’?

Jen grew up exposed to an abundance of sport and physical activity, but competed most passionately in rugby, hockey, ringette and wrestling. Jen attended Brock University and competed both provincially and nationally with the Varsity Women’s Wrestling team and trained among Canada’s olympians with the Brock Wrestling Club.

Recently, Jen has broadened her ‘sporting horizons’ and has began running, hiking and swimming.

Do you have any ‘Words of betes Wisdom’ to share?

Take advantage of the opportunities that diabetes allows you and the challenges will be easily overcome.

Website/Blog Link

www.twitter.com/j2hanson

Hometown
Prince George, British Columbia

What’s your Story?
Iain is currently a student at UNBC and a competitive 5 pin Bowler! Iain loves traveling and finding new adventures. Recently he traveled from Prince George, British Columbia to Haliburton, Ontario to attend Connected in Motion’s second annual Winter Slipstream.

In 2009, Iain joined a group called TEAM ONE who fundraised money for the JDRF and hiked the Inca Trail in Peru!

What keeps you ‘In Motion’?
Iain enjoys bowling, cycling, playing tennis, hiking and driving long distances.

Hometown
Chelsea was born in Munich, Germany and has moved around quite a bit since then. She calls Montreal her home town, but Toronto has been her base for the past three years.

What’s her story?

Chelsea graduated from Concordia University in political science and now works at the World Wildlife Fund as Events Coordinator. She goes adventuring to amazing places such as Iceland, Hawaii and Morocco, and grabs any opportunity she can to travel!

Chelsea was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 10 and was lucky enough to attend Camp Carowanis, a camp in Quebec for kids with diabetes. Growing up, Chelsea was an avid sailor and was also into horseback riding and rugby. At the age of 14 Chelsea’s family moved to Honduras, and since then she has become passionate about traveling and seeing the world.
What keeps you in Motion?

Chelsea enjoys running, hiking and also likes to try new activities. She has recently discovered a love of surfing, and she also recently went skydiving…searching for the thrill of a lifetime! She keeps fit through spinning classes, gym boot camp, hiking and getting outside to run around whenever she can. Her interests range from djembe drumming to pancake making.

Words of ‘Betes Wisdom