This summer, Connected in Motion was fortunate to have three interns join our team! Here, they reflect on their summer experience working for CIM.
Connected in Motion Intern Bios
Sarah Gaughan
Adventure Intern
My name is Sarah, I’m 24 years old and I am from a small town Lakefield, Ontario. I went to Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology and a Certificate in Animal Behaviour. I was diagnosed with T1D in 2017 while I was living in Halifax, at the age of 21 years old. I am currently back in Ontario and work as a veterinary assistant at a 24 hour animal hospital, and I am also CIM’s Adventure Intern! I am working towards applying to veterinary school but in my free time I’m usually somewhere outside.I love the outdoors and being in nature is my favourite form of self-care. I also love going to concerts, binge-watching Nextflix shows, and planning my next trip!
Leisa Wierenga
Slipstream Intern
My name is Leisa and I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2003 at age 11. After graduating from University with my BPHE and BEd., I lived and taught overseas in the UK for two years where I gained a huge love for travel. In my free time I love to be on the water, spending time with family and friends, playing sports or listening to live music.
Kendra Dempsey
Marketing Intern
My name is Kendra, and I was diagnosed with T1D right before my 4th birthday, in 2000. I graduated from the University of Toronto in 2018 with a BSc in Global Health & Biology, and I’m currently in the middle of my MSc in Medical Sciences at McMaster University. I consider myself to be a perpetual student – I have 2 more degrees planned after my current one! In my spare time, I love reading, exercising, spending time with loved ones, and petting every dog I meet. Fun fact: I have had 2 dogs with T1D, and my mum was recently diagnosed with T1D as well!
What is your favourite way to explore the outdoors?
Sarah: It’s so hard to choose! I love pretty much every outdoor pursuit there is, but some of my long-time favourites are canoeing, snowboarding, hiking, rock climbing, and running. If I have to narrow it down to just one, going on back-country canoe trips is probably my ultimate way to explore!
Leisa: I love being on the water or in the mountains wherever I go. Summer camps and cottage time gave me my love for swimming and paddling. I recently gained a love for hiking when I climbed Besseggen, a mountain ridge in Oppland County, Norway. I also love playing soccer, ultimate frisbee and volleyball to keep me active and on the go in the summer!
Kendra: I love going for outdoor walks and hikes – my favourite way to get to know a new place is to find the nearest green space and just explore it! I also love spending time by the water, especially swimming and kayaking!
What role did you have as a Connected in Motion intern this summer? What were your responsibilities?
S: I was the Adventure Intern this summer, supervised by the CIM Adventure Coordinator. I did a variety of different tasks related to CIM adventure programming but I basically helped run CIM adventures from the ground here in Ontario. I organized some of the logistics for this summer’s trips, packed and unpacked the food and gear for the canoe and hiking trips, coordinated with trip guides and participants before trips, and worked on organizing the CIM menus and gear inventory systems.
L: I worked alongside Heather Gomez as the Slipstream intern over the summer. I was responsible for helping to plan and organize the summer slipstreams including SoCal, Colorado and Ontario.
K: This summer, I was the Marketing Intern at CIM (and I am now their Marketing Coordinator). I spent a lot of time working on our communication, including running our social media accounts, creating newsletters and emails, and coordinating blog posts. I also had the opportunity to join in on marketing discussions with our sponsors, and helped with other miscellaneous tasks!
How did you hear about CIM? What made you apply to be a summer intern?
S: It’s kind of a long story haha but a cool one (I think)! I actually stumbled upon CIM just two and half months after I was diagnosed out of pure luck/fate. I was working at a summer camp in Algonquin Park as a trip guide/outdoor educator, and CIM happened to be having Ontario Slipstream there for the first time ever. The camp director suggested I work that weekend and “see what it’s all about”. I admit I was pretty reluctant to, because I was still very fresh in my diagnosis and not in a great place with myself and diabetes. Needless to say I am extremely grateful and happy that I did work that weekend as I was immersed in and welcomed into the CIM community, and the rest is history! That first slipstream completely changed my outlook on T1D and my life, and I went on to be part of the 2018 Adventure Team, and then applied for the Adventure Internship position this summer. I applied for the internship because I wanted to give back to CIM in some way and because I’m passionate about outdoor adventures. I knew I could use my previous guiding experiences to help grow CIM Adventure Programming, and I wanted to learn more about running an outdoors-based organization.
L: I first heard of CIM through social media and a family friend. My best friend is also a type 1 diabetic and participated in the adventure team hike on the Chilkoot trail this summer! I applied for the job because I had heard nothing but great things from those who have participated in their events and they bring so much awareness and positivity to the T1D community. Being a T1D myself, I jumped at the opportunity to get involved and get an inside look on this wicked organization!
K: My diabetes clinic in my hometown of Orangeville sent me an email at the beginning of the summer, encouraging me to apply for the role. It took me all of 10 seconds on the CIM website to realize that this organization was something special, and I wanted to be a part of it. I already had a professional background in marketing and communications, and wanted to expand upon those skills, so the role seemed perfect! The opportunity to work with a team of fellow T1’s was such a unique experience – I couldn’t pass it up!
What was your favourite part/what is your favourite memory from working at CIM?
S: I’ve loved learning a bit about how an outdoor organization operates, but my favourite thing is the trip stories! Getting to debrief after a CIM adventure and hear the often hilarious stories of things that happened on the trip is always my favourite part- the ups and downs and funny moments are what make these adventures so special.
L: I had the opportunity to attend and facilitate the SoCal Slipstream in early September which was such a cool and rewarding experience! It was my first time attending a slipstream and surreal to see the weekend in action after helping with the behind the scenes planning. I met some amazing fellow T1D of all ages and I am so grateful for the opportunity CIM allowed me to have!
K: Oh wow, what a great question. Having the opportunity to work and get to know so many other people living with diabetes was honestly indescribable. It was truly just so special and unique, and has provided me with a whole new fabulous community. I loved hearing people’s stories, and being part of a team that positively impacts so many people’s diabetes stories!
Tell us what it was like to be an intern at CIM!
S: I really don’t have the words to describe the experience but in short- AMAZING. CIM is such a special, impactful, and needed organization that does incredible work, and getting to work with CIM and help make some of their programming possible was an absolute privilege. If you’re looking to give back and make an impact in the T1D community, I’d highly recommend volunteering or interning with CIM.
L: It’s hard to sum up my internship in one word because it was such an amazing experience. I loved every second of my summer getting to work behind the scenes and plan our summer slipstreams. Although a small group of us and working online, I felt such a strong connection with the team and always looked forward to the day ahead. So positive, fun, rewarding and fulfilling…working with the CIM team was my favourite summer experience.
K: Awesome, fun, educational, supportive, exciting, absolutely over the top amazing. I feel so lucky to have had this opportunity!
What are you looking forward to?
S: I am looking forward to continuing to be involved in CIM in any way I can, and I am very excited to see how CIM grows and evolves in the years to come.
L: I am looking forward to continuing the relationships I have built with the amazing CIM team. I hope to volunteer and contribute in whatever ways I can in the future. I want to spread the word on this incredible organization that is bringing so much good and positivity to the T1D community.
K: I’m SO excited to be joining the Ontario Slipstream in September (it’s my first one!), and to be helping out at Friends for Life Canada in November. I’m also currently writing my MSc thesis, so I’m excited to finish and defend that. Finally – I’m seeing the Jonas Brothers in concert in November, so I’m pretty pumped to be near my fellow T1, Nick Jonas!!
If you’re interested in joining the CIM team as an intern, keep your eyes out for more opportunities in the future!
