Juvenile Diabetes

"We manage diabetes, it doesn’t manage us."

"We manage diabetes, it doesn't manage us."

This motto was suggested to us in late 2001 as a theme for our family’s upcoming 5-year world sailing cruise.

My wife and I had been planning a world circumnavigation in a sailboat since 1993, when, in September 1999, our three-year old son was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Like any parents confronted with such a diagnosis, we were devastated and our world turned upside-down in a heartbeat. In the midst of many more important things to do and learn, our sailing plans were cast into immediate doubt.

But the dream didn’t die. It and our resolve to continue despite the diabetes setback became stronger. We discussed our travel desires with our diabetic care team at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, researched the worldwide availability of insulin and diabetic care supplies, worked extensively with insulin adjustment, and, in June 2001, bought a 40’ sailboat named TIOGA. In the six months leading up to our departure date of June 2002, we searched out and digested an incredible amount of information on diabetes management and, with the incredible support of our diabetic health care team and Auto Control Medical the Canadian distributor of the Animas Insulin Pump, we jumped to insulin pump therapy.

Our adventure began June 2002 - me, my wife and our two sons...