May: People Who Inspire Us

Jackson, Kerry, Bev, & Ben

Joey Seber, CDF's Program Director, recently participated in an Oregon State University class, "Exercise for Chronic Disease Management". Students in this class are going for degrees such as teaching, medicine, and sports & medicine. Their current focus is on diabetes, and Kerry, the Associate Professor teaching the class, brought in a panel of people affected by the disease to share their experiences with the class and to participate in a Q&A session.

This was a great opportunity for future doctors, teachers and therapists to gain real-life insight into what it's like to live with diabetes. Here are a few of the panelists who inspired the students with their personal stories:

Jackson - he was diagnosed at the age of 10 with type 1 diabetes and went on a pump at 15-years-old. He was a chef in Portland and decided to go back to school at Oregon State to study Nuclear Engineering ... a great example of living active with diabetes!

Bev - is the mother of Kerry. Bev is a retired nurse and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 55. A piece of advice she gave the class was, when dealing with their patients or students, "to listen to them; they are very aware of their bodies."

Ben - was diagnosed with diabetes when he was a freshman in high school. He graduated from Concordia College on May 1st with a degree in education, and is currently a student teacher at Wilsonville High School. He has attended the Chris Dudley Basketball Camp since he was 14, and is now part of the Dudley staff. We are very proud of you, Ben!

April: Diabetes Happens

This month we want to to give a huge thank you to our friends at Diabetes Happens! Over the years, they have sponsored many campers, making it possible for kids with diabetes to attend our camp regardless of financial ability. Tyler Byrne and Mike Farrell, inspired by their experiences at the Chris Dudley Camp, co-founded the Diabetes Happens organization. They were campers for many years, and now are giving back in a big way to young people with diabetes.

"We're promoting a proactive, positive outlook on life with diabetes. We encourage everyone to not let diabetes hold them back. We believe you can get to a point where you can decide to be comfortable with the condition.

But you have to make the decision yourself - diabetes happens and I'm okay with it." -Tyler Byrne

Tyler Byrne & Ben Rue

Check out their website for a positive look at life with diabetes: http://www.diabeteshappens.com/DH/news.html

2010 - Chris Dudley Basketball Camp's 15-Year Anniversary!

The countdown has begun! In just over three months, the Chris Dudley Basketball Camp will celebrate its 15-year anniversary, and we're excited for the huge celebration that will take place for this momentous event! We are so pleased that this year we have 55 returning campers coming from all over the country; camp will represent over 20 states and Canada. Although preparation and planning for camp started months ago, we are getting busier each day making sure that camp 2010 will be one that our campers will never forget.

We hear all the time from campers who tell us how camp was a life-changing experience for them. This year is very special as we celebrate 15-years of camp. We have lots of exciting events in store for our campers and their families ... check back often for updates!

"Everyday, it amazes me that somehow, I am one of the few kids in the entire world that get to be a part of Camp. I used to wonder why I had to be the kid who got diabetes; now I wonder why I got to be so lucky!"

Kelsey - CDF camper for eight years

March: Who's in Control of Your Diabetes?

The Chris Dudley Foundation interviews teen Ben Paul after his successful descent into the Grand Canyon in 2009. Learn about how he was in control of his diabetes during this adventure:

http://www.chrisdudley.org/?q=node/475

March - Who's in Control of Your Diabetes?

What does it mean to be "in control" of your diabetes? It may mean taking proactive steps to be in control of your overall health; it may also mean having a sense of control over your attitude about diabetes. Sometimes one of the best things we can do to feel "in control" of something is to reflect on our personal attitude - are there positive steps we can take to make life more enjoyable? One positive step may be making sure to plan something fun into your schedule (see story below).

Here at the Chris Dudley Foundation, we get lots of stories from kids who have diabetes - they inspire us because they are choosing their attitude - the things they choose to do make their life enjoyable, fulfilling and very meaningful! They live full, active lives and when they hit an obstacle, they figure out a way around it. We want to share these stories with you and hope they help inspire you to live active as well!

Girls' Dudley Camp Reunion

Melissa, Kelsey and Megan live active lives! They met at Chris Dudley basketball camp and became fast friends. They choose positive things for their lives, including planning a fun weekend reunion in Seattle. Melissa's Mom says, "The Seattle sisters are like triplets and never would have met if it weren't for camp!"

Melissa, Kelsey & Megan in Seattle

Do you have a story you want to share with us? Send it to: info@chrisdudley.org

February: Baby Love - Welcome Baby Piper!

As some of you may remember from last summer, our very own Courtney Beall, Media Director, missed camp due to the arrival of someone very special!

Courtney and her husband, Sean, welcomed Piper Sue into the world on August 14, 2009 at 12:04 a.m. She weighed 7 lbs., 9 oz. and was 21 inches long. Mom reports that Piper is a very mellow baby who loves to look around and watch people. She also loves pink and the Oregon Ducks! We know you'll think she's as cute as we do ... enjoy the pictures and next time you talk to Courtney you can weigh-in on the Ducks outfit!

Piper loves pink

Courtney & Piper

Piper was a flower girl in her Aunt's wedding the very week she was born!

Hot Dog!

Cute as an Oregon Duck

Watch a video of Piper laughing at her Daddy's golf swing:

February: A look at friendships

"Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light." Helen Keller.



Having friends to share your life with is important ... when you're dealing with one of life's challenges, like diabetes, having a friend to stand by your side is a great source of strength. So, how does your diabetes affect your friendships? Can you share your experiences with a good friend? Check out one 17-year-old's story about her diabetes and the impact in has on her circle of friends:

http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=103658

JDRF WALK - 2009