Summer Events
2015
Connect • Challenge • Explore
1-‐877-‐776-‐0667
ichallengediabetes.org
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What is inside: About ICD Retreats Workshops Extreme Adventures Coming this Fall Testimonials
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Breaking News! We are very excited to announce that ICD received charitable status this April! Having this status now opens up opportunities from a variety funding sources, including individual and corporate gifts with charitable receipts for donations. We have always been a charity, but hope that the CRA status will relieve the strains on our team, with increased supports. Thanks to those who have already donated!
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About Us
Our Founder Originally from Grimsby, Ontario Chris was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 14. He pursued both rowing and chemical engineering at Northeastern University in Boston. Chris went on to race for Canada for 8 years, including racing at the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece in 2004, winning gold at the Pan Am Games in 2007, and podium finishes at many world stage events. In 2007, Chris founded ICD with the goal of supporting people who, like himself, have challenges to overcome. Today Chris resides in Toronto with his fiancée. In addition to his continuous involvement with ICD, Chris is also a sought-‐after speaker and educator at numerous medical and educational events across Canada.
Our Philosophy Here at ICD, our goal is to provide people with opportunities to challenge themselves while learning new skills for diabetes management. We strive to empower our participants and encourage a positive attitude towards diabetes, while showing them that diabetes is never a reason to give up on your dreams.
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About Us Who We Serve: Our focus is on those with Type 1 Diabetes, which extends to friends and family, who are an important part of a healthy life! We have no barriers regarding the brand of pump, syringe, meter or sensor you use, as we only aspire to remove boundaries from where and how we use them. We work hard to ensure there are no financial barriers to our programs and strive to reach as many communities as we can. We do not have an A1c cut-‐off, nor do we blink at dietary restrictions. We’ve enjoyed the success of great gains in diabetes control, problem solving, new activities, cracking social barriers and making amazing food accommodations for all to enjoy.
What You Can Expect: Despite our group format, we support individualized goal setting and problem solving. We do not stand for blanket statements and work hard to reduce the stress, frustration and confusion that can sometimes result from living with diabetes. Yes, each of us may react differently to insulin, but the fine-‐tuning of diabetes management is a common challenge which peers and peer mentors can assist with. You can count on us to offer lots of support.
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Retreats With age-‐specific and family style programming of varying durations, our overnight experiences take our activity-‐based learning and support network to a deeper level. Whether stronger friendships and support networks form, new perspectives emerge, or opportunities to practice diabetes management are presented, we believe a retreat is the best first step into the diabetes community.
June 27th – Family Adventure Camp 4 days paddling in Voyager Canoes to fur trading lands off “the grid” with your family and your ICD guiding team. Age 10+ welcome to come solo. Aug 29th -‐ Friesen Family Fishing Camp 2 days, 1 night of family fun with drop in options. Enjoy fishing, paddle boating, hiking and fireside chats. All ages’ welcome! Sept 25th -‐ Point Peele Family Camp Partnered with the JDRF of Windsor, we’ll have cabins and campgrounds available with canoeing, biking, birding, swimming and loads of games so fun you won’t realize you are learning! All ages’ welcome!
For more information about our upcoming retreats, workshops, and extreme adventures, or to register, please visit our website at ichallengediabetes.org or our Facebook page at fb.com/ichallengediabetes
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Workshops With over 45 diverse activities, we have helped many type 1’s on their way to accomplishing personal achievements. Whether climbing a mountain or reaching the podium at the World Championships, learning a new skill or developing a passion, these workshops focus on integrating diabetes into life. Our goal is to provide you with safe and exciting opportunities to better your diabetes skills so they don’t interrupt your drills!
June 3rd -‐ Bolusing on the beach June 6th -‐ Riding the Legacy June 12th -‐ Exercise and Excellence -‐ Casual Climbs Night June 20th -‐ Montreal Exercise and Excellence June 21st-‐ All Ages Adventure Workshop
July 9th-‐ Overnight at Rattlesnake Point July 10th -‐ Rattlesnake Point Day Climb July 12th -‐Toronto to Niagara Bike Ride July 13th -‐ London Soccer Challenge July 14th -‐ Windsor Soccer Challenge 6
Workshops continued…
INTRODUCING A NEW PROGRAM SERIES: Wee Challengers! This concept isn’t new to us, but often our younger families are scattered across many different events. We love these wee ones, and have been recognized for providing crucial support to their families. Thus, this series will address fears, build knowledge, share strategies for common challenges like school care, and unite this community to provide the strong support network we all deserve!
July 17th -‐ Campfire in the City July 18th-‐ Ball Hockey July 25th -‐ Birdies and Boluses July 26th -‐31st DSkate Milton July 30th -‐ Karaoke Party Aug 2nd -‐ Mountain Biking Adventure
Aug 3rd -‐ BC Adventure Camp -‐ Squamish Aug 5th -‐ Art Night Aug 9th -‐ Heart Creek Family Hike Aug 17th -‐21st DSkate Montreal Aug 18th-‐Karaoke Party Sept 2nd -‐ Art Night 7
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Extreme Adventures
We distinguish this class of events when a challenge goes beyond normal activity levels. For example, when we venture into the backcountry, if our tents are in 6 feet of snow, or when there is no suggestion in a medical textbook on how to manage diabetes in that setting! We are proud to be experts in this field, guiding others through these challenges or offering support to those venturing out on their own quests.
29th -‐ Killarney Paddle Adventure June 5-‐night canoe trip (experience beautiful Georgian Bay, wildlife and camping) July 20th -‐ Tobermory Adventure Camp 5-‐day backpacking trip (swim, climb and explore) Aug 6th -‐ Paddling in BC 2-‐day canoe trip (camp adventure to see waterfalls and wildlife) Aug 10th -‐ Assiniboine Backpacking Trek 4-‐night Backpacking (hike between 2 provinces and take in stunning views) Aug 23rd -‐ Quebec Adventure Camp 3-‐days of adventure (hiking, canoeing, and caving in beautiful Gatineau Park)
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Coming This Fall! Family Camp
Last years ICD family camp reached a new high in Ontario hosting over 60 people with support from Long Point Eco-‐Adventure Park and Burning Kiln Winery. This fall we are collaborating to expand to include these adventure packed weekends for families of all aged children with a great community of support in new areas.
Hiking, Climbing and Caving We have been guiding extreme hikes but also supporting someone to try it for the first time. Climbing and Caving intends to engage people in their first experience. At ICD we take pride on continuing to deliver high quality and adventurous programs, which support a broad range of abilities and skills while safely managing diabetes.
Adult Adventures and Leadership
10 years ago ICD’s idea was born with a simple adventure race for 3 adult type 1 diabetics. Since then, we have hosted challenges of all sizes to connect for our own fulfillment, to introduce new ideas and strategies and support an extensive and dynamic group from emerging adults to seasoned vets. Many take opportunities to give back including those 3 initial friends who continue on the ICD mission.
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Testimonials Jamie, age 8, (Written by Jonathan his Father) Joined ICD to skate, rock climb, adventure race, cooking etc. “I Challenge Diabetes has given our family a great opportunity to become more involved with the diabetes community. We have learned, shared and challenged ourselves! Our 8-‐year-‐old son is learning that diabetes does not prevent him or slow him down from doing exciting things, but instead it actually has given him the opportunity to do things that most 8 year olds wouldn't get a chance to do. We look forward to participating in more of these fun, invigorating events which allow us to feel more supported and confident in our task of managing his diabetes.”
Hayden, age 14
First participated in 2011, now Program Leader “Recently I went to an ICD event in Muskoka and I learned more about the importance of our health! I got to meet some incredible people like Chris Jarvis. He and the other leaders were all great influences and are going to continue to making ICD events better! I'd love to go again soon and I would strongly support teens to give these events a try!”
Megan, age 19 First participated in 2011, now Program Leader “ICD taught me that testing my blood sugar and being hooked up to an insulin pump is cool, and it taught me the importance in keeping myself healthy. It also taught me a lot about family because there are so many people here who understand exactly what I have gone through and what I will continue to go through during the years to come. Because of ICD, my diabetes is something I am proud of and I don't feel like I have to hide it anymore.”
Bruce Perkins, MD MPH FRCP©
Mount Sinai Hospital & University of Toronto “The ICD program has had a lot of success with peer-‐support events focused around physical activity and sport and they are now making an effort to reach out to a broader group with more diverse interests. These events will connect the diabetes community, and provide patients with “bite-‐sized” learning points through peer and professional support. I see this as a novel approach that is bound to be successful and will truly help to connect a community of type 1 people with support in a memorable set of activities. I find value in participating as I live with type 1 diabetes.”
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