Name: Anne Royer
Age: 47
Hometown: Montreal, Quebec (Canada)
Date of Diagnosis: Oct 1976

“Hi everyone! I’ve chosen to join the A1Sea Costa Rica Expedition to experience hiking and sea adventures with others who share my love of the great outdoors and Type 1 diabetes. I’m sure we will all surpass ourselves physically and will grow emotionally. I’m looking forward to this adventure. I’m going with an open mind and with great hopes of learning about diabetes, and possibly passing along a few tricks that I gathered along the way . . . "

Name: Julianne “Jules” McKernan
Age: 23
Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Date of Diagnosis: March 1993

“I decided to join the team because I want to branch out of my comfort zone and experience an adventure that I never would have done otherwise.  I also joined hoping to meet other individuals who may have diabetes as long as I have had it or around a similar length of time and who have a real zest for life.  I am hoping that by being a part of this team I may be   able to bring back my experience and inspire other individuals with diabetes to embark on a similar adventure or expedition.”

Name: Tracy Fulkerson
Age: 24
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Date of Diagnosis: December 1991

“When I read about the Insulindependence trip to Costa Rica I thought, this trip is MADE FOR ME. I love exploring the world and credit belonging to the diabetic community with saving my life. What better trip to take than a hiking and surfing adventure in Costa Rica? I am honored to have been selected as a team member and am absolutely stoked for the challenges ahead!”

Name: Phillip Daniel "Dan" Thrailkill
Age: 27
Hometown: Columbia, SC
Date of Diagnosis: January 1987

"I've been involved with a camp for children with diabetes for over 20 years. I see how interacting with other diabetics has a positive influence on everyone! I'm excited about being around and learning from other Type 1's that have the same attitude about their disease that I do. Costa Rica will be the my first chance to truly interact with other diabetics that challenge themselves to be better than the picture that is traditionally painted of people with our disease. New friends isn't so bad either!"

Name: Ashley Hall
Age: 24
Hometown: Escondido, CA
Date of Diagnosis: August 1, 1995

“I've been living with Type 1 diabetes for more than half my life and can hardly remember a time when I didn't have it.  There have been ups and downs (both emotionally and in terms of blood sugars), but overall it has given me a purpose in life and a drive to educate myself and those around me about this disease.  This trip gives me the opportunity to explore one of the most beautiful places on earth with people who understand what its like to live with diabetes on a day to day basis.  Together we can redefine what it means to be normal and we can show the world that diabetes is not a limiting factor to the adventures of life.”

Name: Noor Moustafa
Age: 21
Hometown: San Diego/Dubai
Date of Diagnosis: Feb 1992

"I hope that by joining team Insulindependence in Costa Rica I will be inspired to once again take control of my diabetes. I would like to learn about how other diabetics deal with their diabetes and how it has positively affected their lives."

Name: Danielle Waite
Age: 23
Hometown: San Diego
Date of Diagnosis: June 2001

“I am excited to surf and explore Costa Rica with other diabetics. I think we will have and amazing time and hopefully learn a lot.”

Name: Christopher Walsh
Age: 26
Hometown: Cranston, RI
Date of Diagnosis: November 1986

"Its been so long since I've appreciated my own freedom and too long since I've gone on an adventure with great people around me.  I cant wait for the crazy challenges and lessons we'll have for each other.  The idea of being back on an adventure team, with all type 1s no less, is an opportunity too amazing to pass up.  Costa Rica and a surf board sounds like the perfect way to spend time with new friends and a great path to kick start that aspect of my life again!!! "

Name: Katie Bringe
Age: 28
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Date of Diagnosis: 1984

"I am most excited to be a part of this team to meet other type 1's
who share a passion for the outdoors, for a healthy  lifestyle, and for
adventure!  What better place for this to happen than in Costa Rica?!"