Côte Saint-Luc resident Michaella Etienne, the president of the Association of Parents of Children with Diabetes, has organized an event called Icebreaker. It will take place during March Break on Friday, March 8 from 10 am to 1 pm, at Samuel Moskovitch Arena and feature free activities such as skating, yoga with Audi Gozlan and dancing with the Tyler Anne School of Dance.
Renowned endocrinologist and researcher Dr.Rémi Rabasat-Lhoret will be giving a conference and answering questions. Also speaking will be members of theType 1 Better team, nurse Sarah Haag, clinical dietician Amélie Roy-Fleming and endocrinologist Dr. Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret. UFC fighter Alex Garcia will be a special guest.
Ms. Etienne notes that children with Type 1 Diabetes are insulin dependent, requiring either multiple daily injections or insulin pumps. Type 1 diabetes is a life threatening chronic disease with risks of acute and chronic complications. Children can’t have a break or a day off. In addition, children face endless stigma and discrimination which can be compromising for their self-esteem, moral and even their self-treatment care.
The event’s objectives are to encourage children to engage in physical activity, offer peer support (children often do not know other type 1 children and feel marginalized), reward their efforts, build their community and motivate them to pursue a “normal” childhood despite their disease. Parents and guardians with Type 1 diabetes are also welcome with their children to build a strong and supportive community.
The City of Côte Saint-Luc has joined the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Omnipod, Dexcom, Medtronic, Tandem Diabetes Care and Better.
For more information contact Michaella at 514.531.4402 or at michaella.etienne@gmail.com,