Jen Hanson
Jen is from Sunderland, Ontario but is currently living in St. Catherines completing her Masters of Education at Brock University. She has completed degrees in kinesiology, education, has taught visual arts, physical education and special needs programs at the elementary level. She is currently researching outdoor experience, character development and Type 1 diabetes. In her spare time she loves to play guitar, go on adventures and to dream about traveling!
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
Category: Hiking, Hockey, Ontario, People in Motion, Rugby, Running
