Nestled near the base of the thumb on Michigan’s “handy map” (see what we did there? IYKYK), in the lower peninsula, Camp Copneconic was home to the inaugural Michigan Slipstream, presented by Connected in Motion (CIM), in partnership with Diabetes SoluT1ons. It was a weekend where Camp Midicha alumni and the Type 1 Diabetes Community in Michigan came together to connect, learn, and launch themselves off the zipline.
PHOTO CREDIT: Emily Elconin
Knowledge & Stories Interwoven
Our speakers and sessions, the intellectual and emotional core of the weekend, spanned the spectrum from the global experience of living with Type 1 diabetes to technological advancements in diabetes care. Key highlights included Eritrea Mussa‘s engaging session on Type 1 diabetes across the world and Hilary R. Damaser’s insightful presentation on navigating the legal landscape of diabetes rights. Dr Julia Blanchette, Kelly Nelson, and Dr Lowell Schmeltz delved into the nuances of diabetes technology, emphasizing the importance of integrating these tools into our daily lives for better management.
Kerri Sparling, with her unmatched candour, led discussions that touched the heart – from navigating diabetes complications without shame to channelling the whirlwind of diabetes emotions into productive energy. Heartfelt gratitude to the team at Tandem Diabetes Care for their support in helping us introduce speakers like Kerri to more community members across the country! Diabetes therapist Leela Kausch’s workshop on overcoming diabetes distress and Safiyah Basir’s breakout on the strength in our stories reminded us of the power of community and shared experiences. Bringing some calm to the chaos, Sarah Petti guided us through the value of meditation for our diabetes, and a discussion about reproductive health. And finally, a huge shoutout to Michel Godbout for spearheading a session focused on Men’s mental health – an often overlooked but critical topic.
Mark Walsh, Dr Nader and Michel joined us for an inspiring rotation-style session showing us that YES, we can do hard things, while Phil Hartley covered all things nutrition, from the basics of macronutrients to the complexities of bolusing for fats and proteins.
Adventures and Activities That Bonded Us
Despite an unexpected snowy Friday morning, the spirit of adventure thrived. From the exhilarating high ropes to the laughter-filled giant swing, and the first-time mountain bikers navigating the trails (and flat tires), every activity added a layer of connection among us. The campfire conversations, Safiyah’s serenades, and Whitley’s impromptu barre class contributed to the fabric of our shared memories.
Moments That Made Us
The weekend was filled with moments that defined the magic of Michigan Slipstream. Many started their day off with coffee by the lake, watching the Bufflehead, Merganser and Mallard ducks drift in the morning mist. The evening ‘Minute to Win It’ games brought out the competitive spirit in us, emphasizing the importance of balance in diabetes care and life. Special shoutout to Coach Janine, Cassie, and Emily who pushed Jim/James and Meghan to an Elephant March showdown, and Cole, Kara and Trevor to the podium in Cup Stack.
People Bingo revealed our quirks and stories, from celebrity doppelgängers (shoutout Brittany/Trevor Lawrence) to those among us who’ve lived over 50 years with diabetes (Abby, Lara, Elizabeth, Renee.) We also heard some incredible diagnosis stories and found out that everyone (except Trent and Trisha) loves broccoli.
And then there were the elements that simply couldn’t be planned – the curious scent of the water, the mornings spent watching the ponies prance, and the art that is tie-dye that reminded us of the unpredictability that often accompanies our diabetes.
Our Circle of Support
None of this would have been possible without our dedicated Slipstream Team, our volunteers and the generous guidance of Diabetes SoluT1ons. Special shoutouts go to Emily, Valeria, and Trent, who captured every moment, from the heartfelt to the hilarious, ensuring that the spirit of the weekend was immortalized.
A Reflection of Our Journey Together
As we parted ways, it was clear that Michigan Slipstream 2024 was more than an event; it was a milestone in our collective journey. With over 2,671 years of living with diabetes among us (don’t worry, we added in all of the years for the folks who forgot to contribute to the ‘years’ chart!), we shared not just strategies and insights, but parts of our lives. We left with new friendships, strengthened by our shared experiences and the knowledge that we are part of a vibrant, supportive community.
In the end, Michigan Slipstream was a reminder of the power of community, the importance of shared knowledge, and the strength we draw from each other. Here’s to carrying the spirit of this weekend into our daily lives, until we meet again to share, learn, and grow together.
PHOTOS BY: Emily Elconin
**More photos coming soon!
