Q. Where are you from?
A. I was born in the beautiful town of Canmore, Alberta where I spent my years growing up. I still call Canmore my home even if i am not always living here.
Q. What’s your story?
A. I am super enthusiastic when it comes to the outdoors. I love to be outside and love to be around other people. I have had Diabetes since 2002. It has been part of my life and a love having it–so much so that I have a permanent tattoo of it on my arm!
My hobbies are all over the place from sport to people– whatever seems to grab my attention will soon become my hobby.
My friends and family have all been a great part of my life, from supporting me to just being there. I knowi can always rely on them whenever i need that extra helping hand.
Q. What was your insulin regime like when you were first diagnosed with diabetes?
A. When i was first diagnosed, my insulin and testing was very time dependent, and very strict. I was only allowed to eat at certain times in the day, and could only eat a certain amount–it was fairly disruptive for every day life. I would have to stop activities and eat and check my blood sugar and make sure i was doing the correct amount of insulin all at the right time. But now, i have the freedom to eat and do insulin whenever and where ever i feel. I am now on a 24 hour insulin and taking a fast acting whenever i am eating, its a much better way for me and my life style. I can go for half of a day without eating now and not have to worry about my diabetes as much (instead i deal with the grumble stomach!) The only thing I really have to deal with is having to take the 24 hour insulin, which is super easy, especially when i have a larger time frame then i used to for my insulin regime.
Q. What are the top 5 songs on your iTunes?
A. (1) Love Generation, Bob Sinclair; (2) When Love Takes Over (Feat Kelly Rowland), David Guetta; (3) Give it All Your Loving, ZZ Top; (4) Mamba No. 5, (The Bloody Beetroots remix), Robyn; (5) Yellow Submarine, The Beatles;… And really anything with good bass and upbeat!
Q. What is the coolest thing you’ve done as a person with diabetes?
A. I have done a lot because of my Diabetes. It has lead me down a path of wanting to help people. I went to a Diabetes camp as a camper for 4 or 5 years and then worked at the same camp for 3 summers in a row just to give back and show other people that they can do anything they want–whether they have Diabetes or not.
Q. What keeps you ‘in motion’?
A. I used to be a competitive biathlete. (For those that don’t know what biathlon is, it involves cross country skiing and shooting) It kept me going, but I unfortunately gave that up for work and personal growth. I am getting back into the sport–this time not as an athlete, but as a coach. I am super stoked to once again be able to give back to people and show them what they can do.
Hey! I just turned 33 on October 7th and two days earlier I received type one diabetes for my birthday. Not the sort of gift you want to get. I’m a registered nurse and live in Toronto. You remind me of myself. I’m an avid runner and can’t live without being outside. Infant at the end of august I was part of the winning team for the simcoe shores ultra relay. A 240km trail race. I was supposed to be running the Chicago marathon on October 10th but diabetes stopped me. A goal of mine in life is to run all five major marathons. I got New York out of the way in 2009 and on 10/10/10 I was to have knocked out Chicago. I vowed then that it would be the last race diabetes would keep me from running. I’m still figuring everything out with training, eating and my insulin. Fighting random lows here and there. Your profile has given me the inspiration to push on. I’m currently in the defend 2 study. Hoping to help myself and future diabetics. My mantra is “stoppin’s not an option”. So look out diabetes. Here I come