EMBRACING LIFE WITH T1D ON THE SEA
CDBC Alumni, Evan Vannier, has been living with Type 1 Diabetes since he was 8 years old. He is currently working in South Africa within the marine conservation and eco tourism community, specifically working with Great White Sharks. Evan is living his dream and doesn't let T1D stop him from thriving in an intense, high pressure environment while working with an apex predator! Read on to hear Evan's tips on T1D management and learn more about his thrilling work!
Evan Vannier was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes 14 years ago, around the same age he first watched Discovery Channel's "Shark Week" and was inspired to learn more and eventually work directly with these magnificent creatures. "I was so curious and intrigued about this animal that was such as a powerful killer but yet had so much beauty and elegance to it, I had to learn more and that's where my passion first started..." remembers Evan. Since then, Evan has traveled all over the world from his home country of Canada, to Australia, to Florida, and eventually to South Africa, where he currently works and resides. Evan works within the marine conservation and eco tourism community, where he takes people on an "experience of a lifetime": shark cage diving with Great White Sharks. A key part of Evan's job is educating his participants on the animals they are viewing, and their importance to the eco system and our planet. His team also does scientific studies of the animals including data research and recognition, and shark behavior and tagging.
"It has always been a goal of mine to be doing what I am now!" says Evan. And it was no easy feat! Evan's dream job required him to move halfway across the world, and puts him in a quick paced, high pressure environment each day. Evan notes how important it is to ensure that his blood sugars are in a safe range so that he is alert and aware while working with the sharks. "To make sure I'm at my best, I always test my blood sugars before, in-between, and after all boat trips. It's crucial to do this to make sure my blood sugars are good not only for my safety, but everyone on the boat's safety too, as we are working with an apex predator and must take these animals seriously". Evan also uses the Freestyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitor and credits it as a quick way to check his blood sugar during all of the excitement.
Evan considers sharks the way some may view diabetes. What can seem like an overwhelming, scary situation, Evan views and approaches with grace and elegance. "I want people to know how amazing sharks really are and not to fear them but embrace them. Without sharks, our oceans would fall out of balance, not just affecting marine life but human life as well... I encourage people to educate themselves on the facts and not the over-exaggerated headlines the news bring to our screens. Sharks have been here long before us and once we finally learn to co-exist with these incredible animals it is a big step forward to finding natural balance on our planet"
When asked what his advice would be for others living with T1D, Evan expressed what is clear by the way he manages his T1D in order to live his dream each day: "Never have I let my diabetes get in the way of anything I wanted to do, whether it being traveling the world, playing sports or just living my day to day life. We live in a time where we can manage our diabetes and pursue any of our passions and goals. One of the reasons I love doing the work I do is to show other people and diabetics that this is all possible no matter what limitations try to hold us back. We control our diabetes it does not control us."
Whether it be working with sharks, playing a professional sport, or traveling the world, you can do anything with T1D!
To learn more about what Evan does and the sharks that he works with, visit http://www.wsaecoprogram.co.za/