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

Hometown

What’s your story?
Amanda is just starting to experiance the life of a 16 year old and so far, her life has been anything but ordinary! Looking back, she wouldn’t change a thing! Born Amanda Louise Sullivan, but better known as “Sully”, she was diagnosed with diabetes when she was only 23 months old! A wee one! Amanda was on needles until she was 8 years old when she became the first person in her city to go on the Insulin Pump (yep, she’s pretty much a legend in Kamloops! ).  Amanda goes to SKSS (GO TITANS!) and loves sports! She plays volleyball, soccer (both for her school and rep teams) and is planning on playing Rugby for the first time this year! Amanda’s passion is music–sing it, write it, love it!  Her family is crazy but she loves them to pieces. She’s met some of the coolest people from all over and loves chillin’ with her homies and making the best memories! Amanda loves life and is always expanding and exploring!

Amanda is a Youth Ambassador for Juvenile Diabetes through the JDRF.  She finds this a rewarding position and is  very proud of it–a chance to inspire hope for a cure! She’s had the opportunity to meet some of the people who are closest to her heart because of diabetes and for that reason alone, all of her pain and hardship is worth it!

Amanda has gone to the Diabetes session at Camp Elphinstone for over 6 years.  There she has made memories and friendships that she will have forever.  One of the coolest things that she’s got to do because of diabetes definitely would be hanging out with the crew from ConnectedinMotion! Also, Amanda has been told that she saved the life of her childhood best friend when she diagnosed her with diabetes and took her to the hospital.  She’s come to the belief she was given the disease for a reason, so when things get tough, she thinks of all the hope that there is out there and everything that has happened in her life! Without it, she wouldn’t be who she is today!

What keeps you ‘in motion’?
Passion keeps Amanda driven and the chase for her dreams keeps her running! She’s always down for an adventure!  This summer she graduated from a White Water Kayaking Camp!! She is proud to say that she’s a ‘volleyball chick’, a ‘go get em soccer freak’, a snowboarder and a little on the wild side.! Endurance, motivation and perseverance!

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
Toronto, Ontario

What’s your Story?
Mike grew up in Mississauga, Ontario and has been on the move ever since! He moved to England, where he completed high school, then back to London, Ontario where he received a Bachelor of Managerial and Organizational Studies from the University of Western Ontario. Following graduation, Mike spent a few months living in Utah, riding with the state’s top pro snowboarders and spending some time with his family. Recently, Mike has moved back to Ontario and currently lives in Toronto where he manages a photo department and travels North America as a photographer, graphic designer and web editor for an event photo and video company. But Mike’s work week is never over! On the weekend, Mike shoots weddings and pro snowboard events. Check out some of his work in the gallery below and at www.mikelastphoto.com. Mike has also traveled to some amazing places including Whistler, Temagami, Montreal, Vermont, New York City, Moab, England, Spain, France and Italy!

Mike got the dreaded ‘betes when he was in grade nine, and became a camper at Camp Huronda the following summer. Mike stuck with Huronda where he worked as a CIT, a Counsellor, the Boating staff and ran the Bikes area (while shooting some amazing photographs and developing a beautiful Camp Huronda website on the side!).

When asked what the coolest thing he’s done with diabetes, Mike replied that you don’t need to have diabetes to do cool stuff! In other words, Mike was going to get out there and do what he loves, whether he had got diabetes or not! Among the amazing things that Mike has done include photographing some really cool people (The Tragically Hip, Rick Mercer, NHL hockey) and some breathtaking places (Utah and Algonquin park to name just a few)! Mike has also been responsible for building both of Connected in Motion’s (beautiful) websites.

What keeps you in Motion?
In his free time, Mike enjoys snowboarding, Mountain Biking, Canoe Tripping and shooting photos for himself.

Website
www.mikelastphoto.com

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
Mississauga, Ontario

What’s your Story?
Dessi was born in Sofia, Bulgaria but grew up in Canada. She is a student at Brock University where she is studying kinesiology. She is involved in ongoing diabetes research at the university, focusing on blood glucose control during exercise in ambient temperatures. Dessi loves living an active life–especially getting involved in Connected in Motion events! Through these events she has met some amazing people and hopes to meet many more in the year to come and to spread the word about CIM.

Dessi competed at the World Championships for Tae Kwon-do (ITF) in Slovenia.

What keeps you ‘In Motion’?
Dessi competes in ITF Tae Kwon-do, loves snowboarding and volleyball.

Hometown
London, Ontario

What’s your Story?
Steve is 24 years old and has been living with Diabetes for 10 years (diagnosed at the age of 14). Steve has a 4 year B.A degree in Criminology and has completed a 1 year Post Grad in Advanced Police Studies. Steve enjoys fishing, snowboarding and drag racing his Mustang GT.

Steve has run a half marathon and is currently training for a full marathon.

What keeps you ‘In Motion’?
Steve enjoys weight training (with a 300lb bench press!) and jogging.

Words of ‘Betes Wisdom.
Be Tough!