Steven Hindle: Hockey and Diabetes ...

Good on you Steven!....as a type 1 diabetic myself since the age of 3 years old I can say how challenging it was to play competitive sports growing up. I played high levels of hockey and soccer but was at a disadvantage many games if my blood sugars were off just a bit. I will post the same link on my next blog

This is a fantastic piece. Great blog, Steven.

I am Type1. Since birth . Born in 1981. Loved and have played hockey since I was 6. Great article !

Steven Hindle: Hockey and Diabetes
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- hindlehabs

Excellent piece Steven. I like this idea a lot.

Steve, thanks for doing all you are to help kids in this situation. I have had this condition since I was 3 as well (going on 25 years, oof), and always resented my parents for never signing me up to play due to risks of the sport leading to frequent insulin lows. It was the 1980s and the technology just wasn't there yet to monitor sugar levels as effectively as today. It is important to note though, that not all diabetics are the same, it is more difficult for some to maintain solid control than others and that not everyone who has it can realistically expect to make it in a pro career.

The key, as you said, is to make sure that kids with the condition are not discriminated against on that basis alone. It would be great if there was a partnership with the Hockey is For Everyone campaign to raise more awareness about diabetic kids in hockey, but this is a great example of what people can accomplish with focus, determination and a certain level of stubborness. Thanks again for all you're doing.

Good on you Steven!....as a type 1 diabetic myself since the age of 3 years old I can say how challenging it was to play competitive sports growing up. I played high levels of hockey and soccer but was at a disadvantage many games if my blood sugars were off just a bit. I will post the same link on my next blog
- Colin Dambrauskas

Thanks Colin, I really appreciate the kind words and the support.

The best part about this program is how we will mask the rigorous process of always testing your blood sugars and balancing your diet by making it all fun and relevant to making the young boys and girls better hockey players. Diet and management are key, as you know, and because there really isn't anything out there these days for these young boys and girls, I want to start the trend and would love to see the program grow across the continent and across all sports.

Thanks again for your support and if you ever need any of your own, know that that is what the Dskate team is there for!

This is a fantastic piece. Great blog, Steven.
- Michael_Stuart

Thanks Mike, really appreciate it.

I am Type1. Since birth . Born in 1981. Loved and have played hockey since I was 6. Great article !
- mrpaulish

Love hearing this! We're the same age and have been playing since the same age as well, awesome to hear!

If you ever need anything or are interested in the Program, please feel free to get in touch!

All the best with your T1!

Nice work organizing this event Steve.

I'm a type 1 as well, who struggles with managing my levels while playing sports. The worst is surfing, not many places to keep a snack when you're in a 5mm wetsuit surfing the BC coast.

Steven Hindle: Hockey and Diabetes
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- hindlehabs

Two things Fat Canadians can't live without.

Excellent piece Steven. I like this idea a lot.
- garth

Thanks Garth, much appreciated man!

I'd love to have some of the hockeybuzz boys come out and check out the program this August, so if you're around between the 6th-9th, let me know.

Steve, thanks for doing all you are to help kids in this situation. I have had this condition since I was 3 as well (going on 25 years, oof), and always resented my parents for never signing me up to play due to risks of the sport leading to frequent insulin lows. It was the 1980s and the technology just wasn't there yet to monitor sugar levels as effectively as today. It is important to note though, that not all diabetics are the same, it is more difficult for some to maintain solid control than others and that not everyone who has it can realistically expect to make it in a pro career.

The key, as you said, is to make sure that kids with the condition are not discriminated against on that basis alone. It would be great if there was a partnership with the Hockey is For Everyone campaign to raise more awareness about diabetic kids in hockey, but this is a great example of what people can accomplish with focus, determination and a certain level of stubborness. Thanks again for all you're doing.
- ahjnkn

Thanks ahjnkn.

I sympathize with what you had to live through, and your parents as well.

To be honest, the biggest barrier of all has been the communication of proper and correct information and the fact that it still isn't where it should be is a big reason why this program was started.

We are going to work out way up to the top. It's a slow but steady climb to raise awareness, but as you yourself have lived, saying something should happen and living through reality are two different things, especially when you live with diabetes.

Awareness and education, baby! That's the first step, using hockey as the vehicle to get the word out is just a natural and helpful way of encouraging proper management.

With your support and that of the rest of the great diabetes community, I hope this will be a step in the right direction for everyone.

Thanks again for your support, and like I have mentioned to others, if you ever need any support or are interested in the program, don't hesitate to contact myself or the Dskate team.

Steven Hindle: Hockey and Diabetes
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- hindlehabs

As a father with a diabetic hockey playing son and now a grandfather with a diabetic grandson (5) just starting to play hockey, I am very gratefully for your efforts to bring awareness to Type 1 diabetes and the difficulties of being involved in athletics (especially hockey as it is our family passion).

I would love to see the is program grow or the NHL start up a program that spread throughout Canada and the US.

It is so important for coaches to understand and be able to recognize the signs, impact and dangers of diabetes, especially low blood sugar level that can not only impact a players abilities, but in the extreme can be life threatening.

Additionally, it is great for young hockey players to learn how to deal with their diabetes while playing and that they can play hockey and lead a full productive life just like everyone else. They are not different or starnge as they can sometime feel or be made to feel.

Again, many thanks for your efforts. Hopefully you can expand the camp to other cities in the years to come. Good luck with the camp and keep waving the flag regarding Type 1 Diabetes.

Oh and BTW - Go Hawks!

Nice work organizing this event Steve.

I'm a type 1 as well, who struggles with managing my levels while playing sports. The worst is surfing, not many places to keep a snack when you're in a 5mm wetsuit surfing the BC coast.
- moondawg

Wow, surfing is definitely not on my radar...but how awesome would a T1D Program for surfers be?

To say the least, you've got my interest peaked Moondawg!

As for managing your levels in sport, all I can tell you is what I know, always stay vigilant and keep a watchful eye at all times while you're exerting yourself. Then again, you know yourself and I am sure that is exactly what you do

I know the technology is getting a lot better, too. So hopefully it won't be long before there is a swatch of more accurate devices available to help you with your management.

Best of luck out on the water and with your T1D. Feel free to count on the Dskate team if you ever need any support.

Two things Fat Canadians can't live without.
- PoileRulezzzYo

You would think its strictly for Canadians, but I have a lot of hockey loving friends in Nashville who suffer from the same plight.

And, like most places in Canada, you forgot country music.

As a father with a diabetic hockey playing son and now a grandfather with a diabetic grandson (5) just starting to play hockey, I am very gratefully for your efforts to bring awareness to Type 1 diabetes and the difficulties of being involved in athletics (especially hockey as it is our family passion).

I would love to see the is program grow or the NHL start up a program that spread throughout Canada and the US.

It is so important for coaches to understand and be able to recognize the signs, impact and dangers of diabetes, especially low blood sugar level that can not only impact a players abilities, but in the extreme can be life threatening.

Additionally, it is great for young hockey players to learn how to deal with their diabetes while playing and that they can play hockey and lead a full productive life just like everyone else. They are not different or starnge as they can sometime feel or be made to feel.

Again, many thanks for your efforts. Hopefully you can expand the camp to other cities in the years to come. Good luck with the camp and keep waving the flag regarding Type 1 Diabetes.

Oh and BTW - Go Hawks!
- PuckMaster

Hey Puckmaster,

Thanks for your support and kind words, they are very appreciated and duly noted.

Our goal is to get this to stick and grow throughout the continent. I see no reason why it shouldn't as it is simply something that has been missing more than being something revolutionary.

The stigma of diabetes still lingers and it's funny for those who know and live with it daily how untrue it is. Education and awareness are so important, and that's what remains at the root of this program and any others I hope to be a part of.

Support, though, is the real key. Without people such as yourselves doing your own work to support the diabetes community, a Program like Dskate may never have found its way to fruition. So, thank you for being a great dad and grandfather and please continue to support your boys and all the T1D community. Hopefully, with the support of yours and many others, we will find our way to your area sooner than later.

Thanks again for the support and know that the Dskate team is here for you and your family.

Great article Steve. I have a 5 yr old son with type 1 who was diagnosed at 3 yrs old. Last year he got a chance to meet Josh Bailey after a game vs the Canadiens and its changed his life for the better. Ever since that meeting the kid lives for hockey and that's all he wants to play day and night. It's a challenge for sure and every day brings new challenges but like I tell my son diabetes is not going to hold you back in anything you want to do. When I pointed out one Monday night watching football that the qb on tv Jay Cutler was wearing a pump like him he couldn't believe it or the time I pointed out to him that Cory Conacher was wearing a pump the joy in his face is something I will never forget. Keep up the good work