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’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

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

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!)

Anna was born and raised in Victoria, British Columbia. She goes to Victoria High School and lives with my mom, dad and her 18 year-old brother, Nick.

What’s your story?

She has had diabetes for 8 years, and is now 16 year old.  She uses a Animas pump and loves it!  Since this summer, Anna’s A1C has dropped to 8.8%, the lowest its been in 3 years! Congratulations, Anna!

Anna plays basketball and volleyball at her high school with her best friend Raelynn.  When I’m not at home you can usually find me at Raelynn’s house or hanging out downtown.

When Anna was 9 or 10, she was the youth ambassador for the JDRF on Vancouver Island.  During her time as the youth ambassador, Anna got to speak to lots of ‘big’ people and to share a bit of her ‘story’.  Anna even got invited to a diabetes lab in Vancouver, BC to take a tour and get a first hand glimpse at the progress towards curing diabetes!

What keeps you ‘in motion’?

When asked to describe the coolest thing she’s done as a person with diabetes, Anna told us, without a doubt, that it was hiking in Garibaldi Provincial Park with Connected in Motion.  Anna also went on another trip with PowerToBe in 2009.  She really tried to make the most of her experiences while on the Garibaldi hiking trip and had a great time!

Anna plays lots of different sports!  She enjoys basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, field hockey and biking!  For the past two years, Anna has been awarded three MVP awards and a Most Improved Player award with her basketball team!

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
Mississauga, Ontario

Sarah Walter grew up in Mississagua, Ontario.  She currently lives in St. Catharines, Ontario where she is completing her Bachelor of Kinesiology degree.  Sarah is an aspiring teacher and is looking forward to pursuing her Bachelor of Education degree in the future.  In her free time, Sarah enjoys singing, playing guitar, hot dogs and watching Step Brothers.

What’s your Story?

Sarah was diagnosed with diabetes when she was 9 years old and began attending Camp Huronda soon after. She spent her summers at Huronda and eventually worked as a counsellor, pottery instructor and the Leader in Training Director. In 2008 Sarah traveled to Costa Rica and volunteered at an environmentally focused experiential school in Monte Verde.  Sarah is also staff with Children with Diabetes and works with the teen program.

What keeps you ‘In Motion’?

Sarah captained her rep soccer, volleyball and basketball teams throughout high school and was named athlete of the year. Her successes in high school led her to study kinesiology in university and she has remained active throughout.  Recently Sarah has discovered a passion for aquafit and Tony Horton’s p90x.

Words of ‘Betes Wisdom.

‘Just live your life… eh eh eh’

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.