On 2-7 August 2014 a Pony Diabetes Camp took place in Leusden, the Netherlands. The camp was organised by the National Diabetes Association of the Netherlands and was for children with type 1 diabetes between the ages of 7 and 12. Our Young Leader Lisanne Jonker went along as medical supervision and to offer her volunteer support for the camp.
Here is her description of the camp:
It is important to have a positive role model in ones life, especially when dealing with a disease like type 1 diabetes. It is also important to have a core support system whether that involves family or friends. While some find support easily, others do not. I decided that it was important to create that safe place where teen girls with type 1 diabetes could go to not only vent about their diabetes but also to build a strong foundation in their diabetes management beyond their doctors and nurses. In July 2014, T1 Empowerment was created in London, Ont. Canada.
In May 2014, our Young Leader Marlis Schosser attended the yearly family weekend for children with diabetes in Austria. This is intended to be an educational event for family members, relatives and kids. Parents or other mentors can attend training sessions with physicians, psychologists and nutritionists while the kids are learning new diabetes related things in a more playful way.
In May 2014, Cajsa Lindberg, our Young Leader from Sweden, attended the Swedish Diabetes Association’s Chairman’s conference.
In 2014, Youth With Diabetes (YWD) and Diabetes South Africa collaborated to host a weekend diabetes camp for children. The camp was held in Kommetjie, near Cape Town from Friday 28 March to Sunday 30 March. Our Young Leader Kerry Kalweit from South Africa worked closely with the organiser’s to help make this event a success.
Luca Cappellini our Young Leader in Diabetes from Italy, has forged his personal experience from Dubai into his new project, the Young Leaders Italia (YLI). While parents of children with diabetes and adults are working together in a marvellous network in Italy, Luca felt that an organised youth, capable to stand up and speak for themselves, was missing. The first step he took was to create a group on Facebook, open for all young people with diabetes between the age of 18 and 30 to join.
