Q. What’s your story?
A. I was diagnosed with diabetes ten years ago at the age of 10 and have been on the insulin pump for the past nine years. Also, for the past year I have been on the sensor and love it!  I am currently studying Finance and Marketing at the University of New Hampshire. I also am a member of their Division-1 Ski Team. When I have free time I love to spend quality time with my friends and family.

Q. What was your insulin regime like when you were first diagnosed with diabetes?
A. When I was first diagnosed I was on Humalin and Humalog injections. After a year of needles I decided that the pump would be more flexible for my active lifestyle. I have definitely struggled balancing my athletics and diabetes over the years but with the support of my family, doctors and new technology I am always making improvements to my diabetes management. I currently am on an insulin pump an wear the sensor 24/7.

Q. What is the coolest thing you’ve done as a person with diabetes?
A. A few months after I was diagnosed in 2001 I attended Camp Banting- the diabetes camp in Ottawa. After that first two week camp full of laughter, crazy costumes, outdoor activities, dybo friendships and a place to feel comfortable with my diabetes I was hooked! I have worked for Banting ever since I was 15 as a counselor, lifeguard, rover, and Waterfront Director. I love contributing to the magic of Banting as it gives children, living with type 1 diabetes, two weeks of fun,  a chance to make lifelong friends, and a huge boost in their self confidence that they can carry on forever. I love camp and don’t intend on leaving anytime soon.

Q. What keeps you ‘in motion’?
A. I have been a ski racer for the past 8 years and it has given me the opportunity to meet wonderful people, travel, and work hard.

When I am not skiing or training for skiing I love running, swimming, playing tennis and pretty much anything outdoors!

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?

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. Where are you from?
A.

Q. What’s your story?
A. At age four, I had a very dramatic introduction to life with diabetes – taking a nosedive into a hamburger at a family function. My personality has always been very self-reliant, even at this early age, and I was quickly able to learn how to contribute to my own care. My desire to meet others living with diabetes translated into nearly a decade of attending Camp Huronda in Huntsville, Ontario.

At age 17, I moved to Kingston to attend Queen’s University where I studied Psychology and Environmental Science for four fabulous years. During this time, I was lucky to get involved with research projects on campus and earn a job as a Campus Tour Guide. I also became very close with Diabetes Hope Foundation, using my own successes to help support others as they pursue post-secondary education and get involved in the non-profit realm.

Being able to use an insulin pump has been a huge contributor to the quality of my life – it allows me to be more flexible with my choices, take on new activities, travel independently as part of my job, and disrupt daily routines on occasion! After recently upgrading my computer, I look forward to trying out new pump software to better manage my diabetes while on the road.

Q. What is the coolest thing you’ve done as a person with diabetes?
A. My biggest achievement with diabetes has been related to solo travel. I have been fortunate to frequent Canada’s west coast for work, where I tend to take advantage of every moment of my free time to explore amazing local features as recommended by friends (Stanley Park is a favourite but I have been all over the lower mainland and the south part of Vancouver Island). This summer, I trekked east for the first time to see beautiful Nova Scotia (highlights included hiking in Cape Breton, attempting to whale-watch from Cheticamp, kayaking in Lunenberg, and dipping my toes in the cool waters of Hubbards and Sand Dollar beaches). Growing up with a supportive diabetic community has given me the luxury of knowing I can tackle anything with a little prep work! I guess this is the right time to declare a big thank you to those that have given me the inspiration to try all that I have, and to continue pushing myself out of my comfort zone.

Q. How do you keep ‘in motion’?
A. In high school, I was very excited about the team part of team sports (basketball, volleyball, ultimate Frisbee, and baseball, for example). Kayaking and waterskiing were added to that list as I began to spend more time in the Muskoka area, and for a time I even dabbled in downhill ski and flatwater canoe instruction. Indulging my more adventurous side, I did a little zip lining and bungee in Costa Rica. I was also able to try out scuba for a trip to Jamaica, though I much prefer to be on the water than in it! I still love spending time with people and taking advantage of the outdoors whenever I can through camping, hiking, and travel. I would love to try paragliding at some point… connections, anyone?

Hometown

Daryl has called Langley, British Columbia home for the past 16 years.  He currently attends Lanlgey Fundamental Middle and Secondary School (LFMSS).

What’s your story?

Daryl has had Diabetes for 3 years.  He currently is on Multiple Daily Injections (MDI) but is looking into switching to the pump in the upcoming months.

Daryl has six family members and is the only diabetic among them!

The Coolest thing that Daryl has done while living with diabetes was heading out to hike the mountains of Garibaldi Provincial Park with a group of other youth with diabetes–A trip he took with Connected in Motion!  After completing the hiking trip, he used his new found skills and returned to Garibaldi Provincial Park where he reached the summit of the Black Tusk.

What keeps you ‘in motion’?

Daryl’s hobbies include snowboarding/skiing and playing competitive sports, especially basketball, volleyball, rugby and soccer.

Daryl keeps in motion by knowing that he can be a better person by taking advantage of his diabetes.  He uses his new found healthy lifestyle to push himself to greater athletic accomplishments.

Hometown

What’s Your Story?
Lizzie has had diabetes for 18 years and was diagnosed at age 10. Formerly a Deltc Cosmo pump wearer, she currently wears a “One Touch Ping” Pump! Lizzie graduated from Trent University in 2005 with a BA in International Development studies and Global Political Economy.

Most recently, Lizzie has worked with Ozzfest and Shakira – helping out with the production teams on the tour!

Lizzie has traveled all over the world with different bands. She has worked with the Rolling Stones, Avril Lavigne, the Wiggles, AC/DC, Ozzfest and Shakira. She has worked setting up dressing rooms, VIP parties, runs meet & greets, worked with catering and has done event coordinating. Through he work, she has had the chance to travel to Japan, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, All over the US, Canada, and Europe.  Everywhere Lizzie goes she carries a pharmacy along with her, but it doesn’t slow her down one bit!

Lizzie has now started up her own Catering and Event Organizing company, called Eventful! Next time you have an event to be planned or are in need of some catering, you know who to call!

What Keeps You ‘In Motion’?
While on the road it can be very difficult to stay active – when she’s on the road, Lizzie hits the streets on days off for explorations or else visits the hotel gym. In the past she has been a member of Trent University’s Varsity rowing crew and rowed competitively throughout Canada and in Boston. She loves downhill skiing and boarding, as well as just basically being outdoors. Most recently, Lizzie has taken up Yoga!

Website
www.eventfulbylizzie.com

Hometown

What’s your Story?
Hank grew up in Ajax, Ontario with his two sisters. He was diagnosed with diabetes on News Years Eve, 1995 at the age of 12, four years after his older sister, Julie, was diagnosed. Hank learned to ski at Dagmar Ski Resort when he was only 2 1/2 years old and race a Lakeridge Ski Resort at the age of 9. Two years later, Hank began racing with the Oshawa Ski Club.

Hank has had the chance to travel to some great ski locations. When skiing in Lake Louise, Hank and a friend challenged themselves to ski a top to bottom run of the men’s downhill course… without stopping! They made it to the bottom of the run in four minutes! When Hank was skiing at Sliverstar, BC with his family, he and his sister completing a run so steep that they had to do jump turns to survive! Making it down alive was definitely a triumph.

Hank is an aspiring film director currently working on small film projects and working on developing a feature length film. He aspires to be a great director one day, those close to him have already bared witness to his immense talent and completely humble approach to his creative endeavors. Some of his work can be seen on his production companies website http://www.dreamsoftproductions.com/

What keeps you ‘In Motion’?
Hank competed in Giant Slalom and excelled in Slalom where he was often the top skier on his team. His diabetes control played a very large role in his success as a skier. When Hank stopped racing, he became a Level 1 coach and worked with the Nancy Greene teams coaching younger skiers. During the summer months, Hank enjoys swimming and choreographing fight scenes for his films.

Words of ‘Betes Wisdom.
“Don’t sweat the petty stuff and don’t pet the sweaty stuff”

Website or Blog
http://www.dreamsoftproductions.com/
http://blog.dreamsoftproductions.com

Hank Gets Broken

Hometown
Guelph, Ontario

What’s your Story?
Kirsten is studying forested wetlands with the University of Guelph and loves to teach others about science and nature. She has got to explore forests through her work and to explore some amazing untouched wilderness. Kirsten attended Connected in Motion’s Winter Slipstream in 2009 and 2010.

What keeps you ‘In Motion’?
Kirsten’s first and deepest love is canoeing but she stays in motion when she can’t get on the water by jogging, swimming, skiing and curling.

Words of ‘Betes Wisdom.
“Dude, your like… Death Resistant.” ~Friend, when heard about Kirsten’s diabetes diagnosis.

Hometown
Barrie, Ontario

What’s your Story?
Chantal has just gone back to school! She loves to share happiness,  joy and laughter with those that she loves and those that she meets. Chantal enjoys art, music and singing in the shower!

Chantal has been to Connected in Motion’s Winter Slipstream in both 2009 and 2010!

What keeps you ‘In Motion’?
Chantal enjoys running her with dog, ball hockey, dodgeball and skiing.

Words of ‘Betes Wisdom.
It’s really difficult to do nothing, because you never know when you’re done! Keep smiling and always DO SOMETHING!

Website Blog

Hometown
Bracebridge, Ontario

What’s your Story?
Mark lives in Bracebridge, Ontario and works building and inspecting challenge courses, as well as training challenge course facilitators! When he is not working, he enjoys being outside with his wife and their dog. One of the coolest things Mark has done while living with Diabetes was backpacking throughout the middle east.

What keeps you ‘In Motion’?
Mark enjoys climbing, snowshoeing and skiing.

Words of ‘Betes Wisdom.
Get Outside!!

Hometown
Victoria, British Columbia

What’s your Story?
Stephen loves the outdoors and adventures! He is the founder of Points West Adventure and is a wilderness guide. Stephen has traveled all over the world to ski, competed in several half marathons and triathlons.

What keeps you ‘In Motion’?
Stephen’s passion is skiing, but he also enjoys running, climbing and working out.

Words of ‘Betes Wisdom.
If you dream it, you can do it!