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. 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?
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

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!’

Hometown

Saci grew up in Olsztyn, Poland but moved to Canada with his wife, 13 years ago.  He now lives in Tecumseh, Ontario, which is just outside of Windsor.

What’s your Story?

Five years ago, Saci started competing in Triathlons.  He was just starting to train for his first Ironman Triathlon in October of 2008 at the age of 37, when he was diagnosed with diabetes.  It took some adjusting, but Saci continued to train and finished Ironman Wisconsin in September 2009 in 12:17. (For anyone unfamiliar with the Ironman, that’s 12 HOURS and 17 minutes! Way to go, Saci!). The next month, in Detroit, Saci ran his first stand alone marathon and finished with a time of 3:47.

Saci has been wearing an Animas pump since January 2010. He has been married for 15 years to his wife, Carlene and has a 12 year old daughter, Malika.

Saci is currently training for another Ironman which will take place in September 2010 (Rev3 Cedar Point).  His goal is to come in under 11 hours. BEST OF LUCK!

What keeps you ‘In Motion’?

Finishing the Ironman has definitely been Saci’s biggest accomplishment (so far!). He also spent a great week in Arizona at a training camp with 12 other Type 1s who were training for Iron Man races.

This August, Saci is part of a group of 12 Type 1 runners doing the Great River Ragnar Relay. The Great River Ragnar Relay is a 24 hour, 198 mile relay from Winona, Wisconsin to Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Triathlon training keeps Saci very active. He cycles with a local bike group which keeps his bike training up–right now he does 2-3 rides a week (80-100km each). He does his swims and runs solo, whenever he can fit them in to his schedule.

Blog

Follow Saci on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SaciMow

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.

Julie Robbins ‘In Motion’

Hometown
Mooretown, Ontario

What’s your Story?
Julie resides in London, Ontario. Her hobbies/interests include: exercising, traveling, being with friends and family (and especially spending time playing with her two nephews), diabetes advocacy and education, and just being outside and enjoying what nature has to offer. Julie has been working as an occupational therapist in private practice in the auto sector for the past 6 years but hopes to take some time off soon to travel and compete in triathlons and marathons across Canada and the rest of the world!

Julie will never forget the amazing ambiance at Connected in Motion’s Winter Slipstream 2009 at the YMCA Wanakita in Haliburton.

What keeps you ‘In Motion’?
In December of 2004, Julie completed the Honolulu Marathon as a member of Team Diabetes Canada and in October of 2007, she completed the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon as one of 21 selected Global Heroes. Julie’s experiences meeting and running with other individuals from around the world with medical devices and sharing/hearing their inspiring stories were amazing.  She enjoys being outdoors and exercising whether it be swimming, cycling, hiking, or running.

Words of ‘Betes Wisdom

As diabetics, we can accomplish anything we want to (it just requires a little extra planning/preparation, dedication and a positive attitude)! Diabetes is a disease that we can control and it is not a disease that should control our lives.