Expedition Overview
Team Insulindependence has completed its search for five insulin-dependent adolescents whose lives will be changed as participants in the team’s inaugural expedition, set to take place this fall along the breathtaking Inca Trail in Peru.
From Lima the group will travel to Cuzco, where they will spend a number of days acclimatizing in preparation for the seven-day trek to Machu Picchu. The trail itself follows a series of ancient ruins, weaving its way through sub-tropical vegetation, light woodlands, grasslands and finally majestic alpine terrain.
Over the course of twelve days, team leaders will be challenging participants to achieve a higher level of diabetic maturity through rigorous exercise, with special focus on improved methods of teamwork and communication
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Pre-departure Mentoring Program
Immediately following the application process, chosen participants were assigned to one of three expedition leaders, with whom they will be in contact through the duration of the program. Mentors offer coaching and logistical support in preparation for the event. Come September, participants will be confident in their physical ability to complete the climb, considerably more aware of their body as it relates to diabetes, and comfortable with the team that will be taking them to the next level as diabetic athletes.
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Itinerary
Day 01: Travel from respective cities, arrive in Lima late p.m. Overnight near airport.
Day 02: Early flight to Cuzco, rest..
Day 03: Mountain Biking Adventure, (altitude acclimatization).
Day 04: TBA Sacred Valley Adventure, (altitude acclimatization).
Day 05: Begin Salkantay Trek from Cuzco, a.m.
Day 06: (trekking)
Day 07: (trekking)
Day 08: (trekking)
Day 09: (trekking)
Day 10: (trekking)
Day 11: Sunrise at Machu Picchu. Return via train to Cuzco, arrive in p.m. Overnight.
Day 12: Early flight to Lima, late evening departures to respective cities..
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Meet the Team
Kelly Johnson
Age: 15
Hometown: Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA
Why did you apply to go to Peru?
I want to travel and see the world and having diabetes has made it hard for me to do so on my own.
What do you hope to gain from this experience?
I hope to gain the ability to travel while not having my mother around to help me manage my diabetes. I also want to see another culture that is different than mine. |
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Favorite musical artists:
Taking Back Sunday, Jack's Mannequin, Motion City Soundtrack and Kanye West.
In my own words:
My name is Kelly Johnson and I am fifteen years old from New Hampshire, USA. I'm an avid athlete and play basketball, field hockey and lacrosse. I also enjoy shopping and hope to one day pursue a career in the fashion business. One of my lifetime goals is to travel the world and explore different cultures. |
Josh Boyle
Age: 16
Hometown: Hamilton, New Zealand
Why did you apply to go to Peru?
I thought it would be a good chance to learn about overseas diabetics and because it would be a good experience to see other parts of the world.
What do you hope to gain from this experience?
I hope to gain new friends and new control of my diabetes and I would like to say to my friends I’ve been to Peru and walked the best trail in the world—haha!
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Some of my favourite things:
Cars, motor bikes, food (eg. chocolate, fast foods, lollies, ice cream), my girlfriend, rowing.
In my own words:
My name’s Josh Boyle and I’m 16, from the North Island of New Zealand an’ I've been diabetic for about 4 years. I’m really into sport and I like being outside. I row for Fraser High, my school. I have fun driving my car. I like the snow in the winter and the beach in the summer…and that about sums me up. |
Rob Hinrichs
Age: 16
Hometown: Bloomington, Minnesota, USA
Why did you apply to go to Peru?
I was encouraged to apply for the Peru Expedition by Peter Nerothin when I signed up for the Diabetes and Exercise Seminar sponsored by Insulindependece in April. I attended the seminar to meet other diabetics and learn how to better control my blood sugars when I'm playing sports or active in the outdoors.
What do you hope to gain from this experience?
To make some great friendships with other diabetics that share the same passion for adventure. I was able to meet all three of the leaders, Amanda, Chris and Peter, at the April Seminar and I am really looking forward to September.
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Favorite color:
Blue.
In my own words:
Hi, I'm Rob Hinrichs and I am a native of the state of Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes. I would love to fish on each one of those lakes. I also love to boat, wakeboard and hunt on and near the water. I love adventure and travel and play Varsity Hockey and Lacrosse at Bloomington Kennedy High School. I was diagnosed with type -1 diabetes at 12 and use the Medtronic insulin pump. My favorite times have been traveling with my family; mom, dad and younger sister (by less than one year); and hunting and fishing with my dad, uncles and cousins. |
Steve Broomhead
Age: 19
Hometown: Auckland, New Zealand
Why did you apply to go to Peru?
I thought that my diabetes had let me down quite a few times in the past and that this expedition would be a trip of a lifetime, to help me along in the future. Peru is a beautiful place and having us all together will be a wonderful experience to share with other people in our lives.
What do you hope to gain from this experience?
I hope to gain confidence in myself so that I will never feel down in my diabetes ever again. I hope that this will make me stronger and open for the years to come. I hope that I will be able to share my experience with other people and diabetics and prove to them that life is great and you can do anything you want being a diabetic.
Favorite Activities:
Rock climbing, snowboarding.
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Kelsey Scales
Age: 16
Hometown: St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Why did you apply to go to Peru?
I felt that it would be a great learning experience, going to Peru with other teens that are going through the same thing as I am.
What do you hope to gain from this experience?
To be more comfortable talking to other people about my diabietes, and just to know that there are other people around the world who are going through the same thing as me, and that I’m not alone in this.
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