"Nothing Happens Unless First a Dream"  Carl Sandburg

There are no accidents, everything happens for a reason.

I admit that I didn't always agree with these two phrases, but after meeting many (and I mean many) incredible people in the last few years, I truly to believe that every experience we have happens for a reason.

Better said; "what you focus on, you will always find"

If you find yourself always complaining, I guarantee you will always find others to join in on the "Isn't it awful club".

If you focus in on what is possible, and choose to celebrate life, you will always find people to that are leading a life of passion and appreciation.

When I started on insulin pump therapy, I didn't know what to expect.  In short, the experience has been nothing short of life changing!  I have much more energy, my blood glucose readings have never been better, and the freedom the pumps gives me has made me almost forget that I am living with diabetes.

But something else happened when I went on the insulin pump and started attending insulin pump events, something totally unexpected.

I have met incredible "Pumpers" (as we like to call ourselves) that are making a HUGE positive impact on the lives of others.

One of those "Pumpers" is Chloe.

I met Chloe at an event after I had been on the pump for only two weeks.  She immediately welcomed me to the "club", and told me a little bit about her story.

Chloe was diagnosed as living with type 1 diabetes as a teenager, and like most of us, had her good days and not so good days.  After going through a period of being frustrated by her diabetes, and feeling like she was the only one in her age group with diabetes, she took the advice of a good friend and DID something about it!

She choose not to complain,but take action. 

What was her action?

She started her own foundation to help support young people living with diabetes, help then connect with each other, and promote an active healthy lifestyle.

No small feat.

Last weekend she planned her first ever outdoor weekend experience bringing together 28 young people living with diabetes.  The event was an overwhelming success filled with laughter, skiing, skating, hiking, sharing and friendship.

It was the first time for many of us to share a weekend with a group of people who "got it", and were all living with diabetes. Listed below are a few things that I have learned from Chloe:

1) Just do it!  - She decided to do something about her frustrations and took action!

2) Create a Vision - Chloe, Rob and Sarah created the vision of Slipstream, and Connected in Motion and worked hard to make it happen.

"Nothing Happens Unless First a Dream"  Carl Sandburg

3) Surround yourself with a solid team - Find people that share your passion, and enlist get them on your team.  Chloe's vision started with conversations with Rob, and her "team" has now expanded exponentially.

4) Have Fun and enjoy the journey - I like the saying "if it's fun, it gets done"

5) Share your vision - talk about your vision and passion with as many people as possible, you never know when "magic" can happen.

Congrats Chloe for making your dream vision a reality! 

Shawn Shepheard has worked extensively in the career development field, including recruitment, customer service, career management and leadership training. He is also a celebrated inspirational speaker and was named the 2008 Volunteer of the year from the Canadian Diabetes Association.