WATROUS, Sask. – For over 50 years, 64 kids diagnosed with type 1 diabetes from around Saskatchewan have had the opportunity to go to camp at Manitou Beach.
The camp gives them a summer experience with other kids who understand the day to day challenges of diabetes.
“Dr. Best is my doctor in Saskatoon. So I go see him once a year and he showed me a photo book of kids having fun at camp and I didn’t know there was a camp special for diabetics, so I thought I’d come try it out and I’ve loved it ever since,” said Joseph Hodgson, 12-year-old diabetic.
The Canadian Diabetes Association has been making summer camps a reality for kids with diabetes for over 50 years.
“They learn how to test their blood sugars themselves, they learn how to adjust their insulin levels, depending on their activity levels and what they’re going to be eating that day, how much to eat. All that kind of thing, that probably their parents managed and this is the opportunity for them to learn on their own,” said Brie Hnetka, Canadian Diabetes Association.
Over 80,000 people in Saskatchewan are dealing with type 1 or 2 diabetes, according to the Canadian Diabetes Assocation.
It’s estimated that by 2020, the number could reach over 110,000, equivalent to 10 percent of the population.
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