Diabetes Camp: Adult Edition
Walking out of the hospital with a type 1 diabetes diagnosis at age 20, I remember feeling confused about why I was carrying a stuffed animal. I had a million questions circling my head, from how I was going to adjust to this new normal while living alone to how I would ever tell a date I had diabetes. None of these questions were answered by the care package in my hand, full of pamphlets clearly meant for children.
A lot has changed since my diagnosis, including a shift away from referring to type 1 diabetes as “juvenile diabetes” – a much-needed recognition that type 1 diabetes can occur at any age. In fact, a recent study found the median age at diagnosis in the U.S. is 24.
Still, many of the spaces dedicated to learning about type 1 diabetes and building community (especially outside of the internet) are centered around children and families. Summer camps and family retreats help children and their caregivers adapt to their diagnoses and better manage their diabetes while feeling like part of a community – why don’t we have these same opportunities for adults?
This is why I was particularly excited when I discovered Connected in Motion, an organization dedicated to creating a space for adults with type 1 diabetes to find support in diabetes self-management through peer education, sports, and outdoor adventures.
I have always felt most like myself in the outdoors, whether camping, hiking, backpacking, or running. Although type 1 diabetes means these experiences require some extra planning, they’ve become even more important to me since my diagnosis, providing an opportunity for me to surprise myself and celebrate what my body is capable of – especially on days when the burdens of diabetes feel particularly restricting. Connected in Motion has created a unique opportunity to celebrate, get support from, and learn from others who are in the same boat (in some cases, literally!)
Through group trips and weekend retreats called “slipstreams,” Connected in Motion allows adults to do what is often reserved for kids at summer camp – hike, bike, paddle, camp, or just have a good time chatting around a campfire. You never know what new and previously daunting activity might make you feel unstoppable, no matter how hard diabetes may try to slow you down.
Last month, Connected in Motion’s annual Adventure Team returned from six days backpacking the Superior Coast Trail in Canada. One member of the team was Lissie Poyner, who said the trip was like a breath of fresh air.
“When I was first diagnosed, I never thought I would be able to travel again – let alone go backpacking along the Superior Coastal Trail for six days!” she said. “The micro-moments of living with diabetes that otherwise feel isolating were embraced with open arms. Adventuring with other people with type 1 diabetes is an instant bond and an experience I'll never forget.”
Poyner was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just before a college research trip to Curacao. While it was an incredible experience, Poyner said it was difficult emotionally, especially being newly diagnosed and traveling with people who knew so little about type 1 diabetes.
Though the Superior Coast Trail hike was harder than expected, it reminded her that although there are a few more boxes to check with diabetes, nothing is impossible.
“In any other group, this may have felt discouraging but for our group, we couldn't help but think, ‘This trail is difficult for anyone, but here we are doing it even with type 1 diabetes.’ It reminded me that you can make your diagnosis something that stops you from doing the hard things or empowers you to conquer them,” Poyner said.
If you’re looking for an adventure to cap off your summer and a chance to find new energy and support for your diabetes management, register for the upcoming Colorado Slipstream weekend happening August 23–25 (deadline for registration ends August 16).
Read more about diabetes and outdoor adventures here: