A little something for everyone...

ALL AGES: Individuals of any age, diabetic or not, enjoyed the challenge and coordination that accompanies playing with different juggling and circus props. Constructing, personalizing and learning to toss and spin the creations, was a perfect summer camp craft and exercise activity. Juggling balls and poi were made out of bright, low-cost materials, and used for games and skill building. These daytime sessions accommodated as many as 40 campers at a time and left counselors occupied monitoring the scissor juggling.

KIDS & TEENS: In addition to teaching circus coordination skills, we performed a professional quality show tailored to inspiring diabetics with its messages. Clowning, acrobatics, theater, juggling, costumes, a game show and fire performance, were combined into an epic spectacle unparalleled in content. The show is laden with pertinent similarities to diabetes management such as balance, multi-tasking, failure, focus, etc. The performance was a 45-minute campfire event so the entire camp could be in attendance as the sun yielded to fire manipulation.

TEENS &/or FAMILY: For the age group that’s fighting for independence and the parents against whom the war is waged, I compiled a definitive, 40-minute presentation about adventure-traveling and managing one’s diabetes in foreign countries. Slides from my travels in South America, China and the U.S., accompanied information that encouraged teenagers’ to control their diabetes to be able to experience other cultures, alleviate parents’ worries, and be good ambassadors for diabetes and for America. This presentation was entirely appropriate for the families of non-teenage diabetics as it provided all the essential information about the mechanics of diabetes travel from supply planning, foreign clinics, robbery, open return tickets and everything in between.

FAMILY PROGRAM: We integrated family diabetes pitfalls into our performance for programs with non-diabetic siblings in attendance. The interactions between my brother and me help address sibling camaraderie, special treatment, diets and the unique qualities in every child. Our show was able to be tailored to empower and educate any audience.

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