In September 2004, Colleen McCarthy LaPierre,

  became the first official winner of the annual Bayer Dream Fund™ Contest, sponsored by Bayer HealthCare LLC, Diabetes Care. Colleen's inspirational dream - to create a challenge-based adventure camp for teens with diabetes - was realized in July 2004. Called "Dream Big," the adventure-SCUBA camp for up to 10 teens, 16 and 17 years old, was created by Colleen to demonstrate to young adults living with diabetes that diabetes does not have to limit your life - rather, anything is possible if you live healthy and regularly monitor your blood glucose levels.

Teens from across the country submitted essays explaining how daily self-monitoring of their blood glucose levels empowers them to live a healthy, active life. Of all the entries eight teens were selected to participate in the very first 19-day SCUBA camp.


First, the teens took part in training and education sessions, learning about the importance of fitness and meal planning, and participated in an in-depth diabetes education program. Then, they were whisked off to sunny St. John's, a local U.S. Virgin Island, where they practiced safe diving with diabetes protocols and performed dives of up to 60 feet. The teens used the Ascensia® CONTOUR® Meter to self-monitor their blood glucose levels - sometimes 10 to 15 times each day. Through this program, Colleen has fulfilled not only provided teens with a challenge, she's also fulfilled a lifelong dream of her own.

The Director of Programs at The Barton Center for Diabetes Education in North Oxford, Massachusetts, Colleen first learned the rigors and rewards of specialized camping after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 13. As a teenager with diabetes, she participated in the first organized Outward Bound program for young adults with diabetes; empowered by the level of activity she had accomplished from this one-week program, she feels it ultimately changed her life.

Colleen was diagnosed with diabetes following a family vacation to Disney World, where her telltale symptoms (extreme thirst, fatigue, relentless cough and weight loss) prompted a visit to the family doctor. As a 13-year-old, Colleen was devastated with the diagnosis; her physician's words of encouragement, "Don't worry - you'll be able to lead a normal life," left her feeling alone and different. Attending a camp for diabetes showed her that she was not alone and laid the foundation for a lifetime of successful diabetes self-management.

Colleen hopes that "Dream Big" provides young people with diabetes the chance to see that through active self-management, including diligent monitoring, proper diet and exercise, they too can take control of their lives and achieve their dreams -- no matter how big or small. She uses the Ascensia ELITE® XL Blood Glucose Monitoring System to self-monitor her blood sugar levels four times a day.

Colleen lives in Warwick, Rhode Island with her husband William, a Rhode Island Deputy Sheriff, and 5-year-old son, Liam.

DREAM BIG SCUBA CAMP

"Dream Big," a challenge-based adventure camp for teenagers with diabetes, offers young adults the chance to experience SCUBA diving and helps them understand that, with regular self-monitoring and self-management in addition to a healthy diet and lifestyle, diabetes does not have to limit their lives or dreams. "Dream Big" adopts safe protocols, which require people with diabetes to check their blood glucose levels at least three times before each dive. The first check is done one hour before the dive, the next 30 minutes before the dive, and the third just minutes before the dive. After each dive, all campers are required to perform a fourth blood glucose check and record the results to examine what effect the dive has had on blood glucose level. At "Dream Big," these self-monitoring protocols are implemented by The Barton Center for Diabetes Education's dedicated and trained staff, including diabetes physicians and nurse educators.

SCUBA and Diabetes

Of the half million certified divers around the globe, a small, percentage of those have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Dr. George Burghen, Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Tennessee, who has over 32 years of diabetes camping experience, including wilderness trips and SCUBA diving camps, states that, "Understanding that SCUBA diving has some risk, young people with diabetes who are trained and have a solid knowledge of exercise, food management, and blood glucose monitoring, can dive successfully."

Dr. Burghen recommends that people with diabetes check their blood sugar more than 10 times per day during their SCUBA activities. "'Dream Big' is a wonderful opportunity for young people with diabetes to engage in an activity that might otherwise be impossible." This frequent monitoring of blood sugar levels enables a diver to better understand how SCUBA diving and other forms of exercise may affect blood sugar. Individuals with diabetes are also encouraged to speak with a diabetes care provider to obtain approval before attempting SCUBA dive lessons, as most dive instructors require a signed medical release before allowing students to dive.

SCUBA Certification

Currently, there are more than 500,000 people worldwide who have received official certification for SCUBA diving. Obtaining certification for underwater discovery requires approximately 14 hours of training and education through a licensed group such as the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) or National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI).

SCUBA diving instruction can usually be accomplished through a dedicated course spanning two weeks. Initially, divers are introduced to the basics of using the gear, which consists of a wetsuit, air tank, weight-belt, inflatable vest or 'buoyancy control device,' mask, and fins. Following the basic introduction to the sport, students are permitted to begin diving in open water. For safety reasons, divers are always encouraged to submerge with a buddy, and the amount of time a diver can stay underwater is dependent upon the depth of the dive; as a general rule of thumb, beginners with diabetes should not go deeper than 60 feet and should not stay under for more than one hour at a time.

VIDEO

Download this video and share in Collen McCarthy LaPierre's dream. View scenes from the "Dream Big" adventure camp.

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