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Weekend of Outdoor Climbing for Families Affected by Type 1 Diabetes

Our annual weekend of outdoor climbing  in Rumney, NH will take place July 27-28, 2019. The whole family is invited to participate.  We hike in to the climbing area as a group. Some parents choose to climb; others don’t. Most of the approaches to the climbing areas are 20-30 minutes. The terrain is somewhat steep and requires some degree of fitness, similar to that required of climbing several flights of stairs. Most people are fine doing the approaches in sneakers. The climbs at Rumney start at the very beginner level. No climbing experience is required. We have reserved a couple of large camp sites for the group at a campground that is a short drive from the climbing area, but there are hotels in the area if you would prefer not to camp. Rock Type 1 is covering the cost of the group camp sites. We are able to provide climbing equipment (harnesses, shoes, and helmets) for everyone who wants to climb so that no one has to buy or rent equipment. We will have experienced volunteers to belay everyone and keep everyone safe. Families usually arrive Friday evening, with climbing from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon (weather permitting). However, some families choose to join us for either Saturday or Sunday only. We are completely flexible. Please contact us at rocktype1diabetes@gmail.com if you might be interested in joining us or would like more information about the event. For safety reasons, we keep this event very small. Please contact us soon if you are interested.

Rock Climbing Event, June 1, 2019, Scarborough, ME

DUE TO AN OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO THIS EVENT, WE HAVE REACHED CAPACITY AND HAVE CLOSED REGISTRATION. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE PUT ON A WAIT LIST, PLEASE EMAIL US AT ROCKTYPE1DIABETES@GMAIL.COM.

We are very excited to announce our first Rock Type 1 event in Maine, scheduled for June 1st, 2-5 pm at Salt Pump Climbing Co, 36 Haigis Parkway, Scarborough, ME. This indoor rock climbing event is free for kids and teens with type 1 diabetes and their siblings. This is a great chance to climb and connect with others affected by t1d. Space for this event is limited. Please register soon if you plan to join us. We hope to see you on June 1st!

 

Rock Climbing Event, April 6, 2019, Warwick, RI

WE HAVE REACHED CAPACITY FOR THIS EVENT AND HAVE CLOSED PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION. WE STILL HAVE SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR OUR EVENTS IN CT ON 3/23.

We will be hosting an indoor rock climbing event, 2-5 pm on April 6, 2019, Central Rock Gym, Warwick, RI. Brandon Denson is going to be our very special guest at the event. Brandon is an American Ninja Warrior and is Outreach Manager for JDRF New England. This is a great chance to climb with an American Ninja Warrior and hear about all of the great things that JDRF is doing. It’s going to be an awesome afternoon of climbing and connecting with other families affected by type 1 diabetes. Please register if you plan to attend. As with all our events, this event is free for kids and teens with type 1 diabetes and their siblings. We hope to see you there!

Contributions to Insulin for Life-USA

Hi! I’m Liam Scott. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 7. I am aware how lucky I have been to have access to the supplies I need to keep myself healthy. There are so many people who have limited or no access to the insulin and glucose testing supplies that they need just to survive, especially in limited resource countries. Through generous donations from the type 1 diabetes community, I have collected and forwarded over $100,000 worth of insulin and other supplies to Insulin for Life-USA. They provide insulin and other supplies to limited resource countries and emergency supplies to areas affected by natural disasters in the U.S. and around the world. They are saving the lives of people with type 1 diabetes every single day.  I am so proud to have played a small role in the incredibly important work they are doing. If you would like to donate directly to Insulin for Life-USA, please visit their website. Contributions are tax deductible. Thank you to everyone who has supported Insulin for Life-USA and their life-saving mission!

Rumney Outdoor Climbing Weekend 2018

Rumney Outdoor Climbing Weekend 2018

Rock Climbing Event, March 18, 2017, Central Rock Gym, Watertown, MA

March 18, 2017 Rock Climbing Event

 

A Common Language

At our most recent climbing event for families affected by type 1 diabetes, we were laughing about how both t1d and climbing have their own language. When we’re out in public and ask Liam if he’s high, we sometimes get curious looks from strangers. Climbing is the same way, with smearing, dynoing, and belaying.

This conversation made me stop and think about how refreshing it can be to spend time with people who share my language. That’s not to say that I mind explaining t1d to people. I’m flattered when people care enough about Liam and our family to want to know more about his medical condition. It’s just that it’s REALLY hard to explain because it is SO complicated. I often find myself saying things like, “…and that works most of the time but sometimes it just doesn’t.”

I like spending time with parents who I know are in the trenches with us. Parents who know what it’s like to look at a meter reading and be totally caught off guard when your child is low or high for no apparent reason. Parents who understand the anxiety and the fear. Parents who share the sleepless nights. Parents who would do anything to take this burden away from our kids. Parents who share a common desire to give our kids lives without limits while keeping them safe.

By Susan Ramsey