Diabetes is now recognized as an epidemic in Canada. The chronic disease affects many in the North and Hay River's Chris Hawley is among them.
Hawley learning how to live with Type 1 diabetes, which he was diagnosed with three years ago at the age of 32.
Part of that learning will come this month as Hawley embarks on a nine-day, 56-kilometre guided trek through the Kootenay Rockies in British Columbia. He will be joining 11 other hikers and two guides all of whom have Type 1 diabetes.
The Kootenay trek is an opportunity for 14 people with the rarer form of the disease to connect and focus on their physical and mental strengths, an initiative created by non-profit organization Connected in Motion.
Programs provided by Connected in Motion and other organizations are essential for people living with chronic disease or disabilities and are much needed in the territory.
The NWT has a lot of catching up to do to make not only a more accessible environment for people with disabilities, but also to create an environment that is inclusive and a place where people can connect and learn together like Hawley will be doing on his trek. Being able to connect with people who share similar experiences can be a critical part of care for anyone with a chronic disease or a disability.
Hawley is showing the North that being dealt a bad hand health-wise is no reason to give up on your dreams.
Despite having Type 1 diabetes, which requires about five insulin shots per day, Hawley maintains a career as a personal outcome support worker who cares for people with disabilities. He has also built a gym in his garage he calls Invoke Fitness, which he may open to other users at a later date.
It's not easy to stay motivated when confronted with a serious illness, especially in the North where services to help people are few.
The territory should do all it can to support people like Hawley. The more help there is in the North, the more likely people facing illnesses and disability challenges will thrive. That's good for their families, our health care system, and everybody else.
