Q. Where are you from?

Q. What’s your story?
A. I’ve had diabetes for 9 years now.  I was on the pump years ago then went to MDI and now trying to go back on the pump! Exhausting! I’m currently finishing my Psychology degree at the University of Ottawa.  I am in love with sports (hockey, soccer, rugby, baseball, basketball, volleyball etc. etc. etc.) and anything to do with staying active including outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking and FISHING!  My family has been the biggest support of all, they are a wonderful bunch that keep me smiling and going day to day.

Q. What was your insulin regime like when you were first diagnosed with diabetes?
A. At first, I was told ” ‘X’ amount of starch, fruits and vegetables”.  This included following strict times for snacks and meals.  Now, with MDI, I am taking two doses of Lantus a day with Humalog every time I eat.  This is all in hopes of one day being able to go on the Pump!

Q. What are the top 5 songs on your iTunes?
A. John Mayer – Vultures
Lupe Fiasco – Til I Get There
LCD Soundsystem – Daft Punk Is Playing at My House (London Session)
Duck Sauce – Barbara Streisand
Hollerado – Julliette

Q. What is the coolest thing you’ve done as a person with diabetes?
A. I have traveled to Rome, France and the United Kingdom (twice) all being diabetic which have been some of the best experiences of my life.  I would have to say my biggest accomplishment to date however, would be my 8 year streak as a counsellor and leader at Camp Banting.  Recently I have programmed, planned and implemented the Junior Leadership program which focuses on youth aged 14-15 with type-1 diabetes.  We teach the youth hard, outdoor skills such as survival techniques, fire building and orienteering.  In 2007, I had the honour of being named Male Counsellor of the year.  Camp Banting is my home away from home!

Q. What keeps you ‘in motion’?
A. Currently, I am playing hockey at least 2 times a week (sometimes up to 3 times a week!).  In the winter I am able to go to the outdoor rinks, whenever school is willing to let me go.  The summer brings much of the same and I am able to keep enjoying hockey at least once a week.  I have played lots of rugby in the past and was captain and MVP of my high school team.  That same year I was named to the Eastern all-star team, and continued to play club for a U18 city team.
In the summer, I enjoy camping when time permits and I am able to escape.  If not, I enjoy fishing at my cottage for hours on end.  Not to mention any game of pick-up I can find – baseball, basketball, volleyball or tennis!

Follow Russell on Twitter: @BigrussT

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
Ottawa, Ontario

What’s your Story?
Shawn was diagnosed with Diabetes on Christmas day, 1997. Living with Diabetes has changed his life in many positive ways (Yes! He said positive!)! He has met so many incredible people living well with diabetes.

What keeps you ‘In Motion’?
Shawn has completed three full marathons and seven half marathons and he loves hockey!

Words of ‘Betes Wisdom.
You can live well (very well!) with diabetes!

Website Blog
www.shawnshepheard.com

Hometown
Toronto, Ontario

What’s your Story?
Michael was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 25 but lived almost six months prior as a type 2 following a misdiagnosis. Having graduated with a degree in Political Science, this revelation provided him with a more personalized connection to an issue that would allow him to share his grassroots energy and desire to make a meaningful difference in the world. Michael is currently working with the Canadian Diabetes Association in addition to being a part-time student at Ryerson University in the Nonprofit and Volunteer Management Certificate Program. On top of this, he still enjoys finding time to coach baseball, volunteer in the upcoming Toronto municipal election, and provide special project support to a start-up organization, Tennis in the City. He loves anything and everything that has to do with food, especially cooking, and still makes the trip to Kensington Market every weekend to grocery shop. His new downtown digs seamlessly cater to his eclectic tastes.

In no particular order the coolest things that Michael has done since being diagnosed are 1) having the honour of being the “Best Man” at his dad’s wedding 2) appearing in the Toronto Star and speaking at the CN Tower on World Diabetes Day as a Youth Advocate for the CDA 3) participating in the first annual Winter Slipstream and learning to love camp.

What keeps you ‘In Motion’?
Michael is a true athlete of all seasons at both the recreational and All-Star levels, although those moments seem more akin to days gone by. An avid hockey player still dreaming of taking that “one” celebrated shift in the big leagues. Name the venue: baseball, tennis, golf or rugby and he will meet you there.

Words of ‘Betes Wisdom.
There are so many and still collecting…

Despite the adversity, diabetes reawakened my senses and made me re-examine what it means to live life passionately and to embrace the unpredictable flow of each day with a sense of joy and happiness.

A universal thought that he has carried since high school:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.’ We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? … Your playing small does not serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you… And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Marianne Williamson

Website Blog
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DujA4JF-kpM

Jonathan White is from Halifax, but currently lives in Toronto. He is a PhD student in Media Psychology at Fielding Graduate University, President of City Language Exchange Inc., multi-sport adventurer and a motivational speaker.

What’s your story?

I became diabetic at age 15. At first I was reluctant but I’ve warmed up to it. I’m currently 27, enjoying working on a doctorate in Media Psychology in which I essentially study the art and science of story. I also create web businesses, documentaries, and other media projects. Two years ago I was lucky enough to get a chance to bicycle from the top to the bottom of Africa. 10 countries, 4 months, 12,000km, and a big nap at the end. I filmed the trip and am creating a professional documentary and webisodes. School-wise I have undergrad degrees in psychology and business and a MSc in organizational psychology.

How do you keep ‘in Motion’?

I find a sport I love. It’s always changing for me, which is half the fun. I play hockey, run, kayak, kitesurf, box, and am looking for the next big adventure, although a crazy diabetic just recently talked me into probably joining him for the original marathon (Marathon-Athens) in Nov/09.

Do you have ‘Words of Betes Wisdom’ to share?

I think I’m challenged by diabetes, which makes me tougher, and different because of it.
It makes me care less about social norms and enables me to focus on my passions.