A Lot Less Lonely—A Weekend at the Northeastern Slipstream


 2018-06-19

Editor’s Note: We’re headed back to Maine for a weekend Slipstream in 2022. Learn more (and take advantage of early bird pricing through March!) here


I grew up in the woods. Not literally, of course, I lived in a house. However, a great deal of my time was spent outdoors, exploring the woods and coastline of my southern Massachusetts hometown. It was my fortune to spend summers, both as a small child, and again as a young adult, at Great Esker Park in North Weymouth. A winding ridge of stratified sand and gravel formed by a glacier thousands of years ago, this 1.5 mile stretch of land sits halfway between Boston and Cape Cod, and is known for its beautiful hiking trails, diverse bird population and for being the second tallest esker in the whole world. For me, it became a place of refuge, a place of peace and a classroom for exploration—both the internal and external variety.

For many summers, I worked there as a counselor, teaching children and teens about nature and the local ecology, while we explored the waters of the estuary and the abundance of wildlife that surrounded us. I also had the privilege of being an instructor for the older kids’ adventure program, teaching things like kayaking, rock climbing and canoeing—sometimes leading overnight camping trips out on the Boston Harbor Islands. During this time, I made memories and collected experiences that have helped carry me through the years, and I often reflect on what a magical time of my life it was, those summers spent beneath the trees in my favorite park in the woods.

When I found the diabetes community, nearly seven years after my 2005 diagnosis, I remember thinking, “Wouldn’t it be great if there was something like camp at Esker, but for people with type 1?” I even day dreamed about someday organizing my own events where my passion for type 1 diabetes (T1D) could overlap of my love for nature, being outdoors and the experiences we can create for ourselves through the endless pursuit of adventure.

After some time, I stumbled upon Connected in Motion, and was immediately intrigued by their mission “to create a culture of support and engagement in diabetes self-management through peer-based experiential education, sport and outdoor adventures.” This organization happened to be EXACTLY what I was looking for, yet there was still one downside … they were located in Canada! When I learned of the partnership with Beyond Type 1, and discovered the first Northeastern Slipstream, I was overjoyed knowing I’d finally be able to participate, especially since I had actually WON a trip to a Canadian Slipstream this past winter, and was sadly unable to attend.

My weekend in Maine felt like a dream. I’m not sure words exist to fully describe what it feels like to be surrounded by so many fellow T1Ds, and to have the experience that we all did. It’s one of those things you just need to live out for yourself in order to truly understand. For a few days, I wasn’t the only one who had to focus on diabetes—as I was surrounded by friends, and the cacophony of sounds from our various diabetes devices.

I wasn’t the only one who needed to test, inject or treat—and I wasn’t the only one who was different—because in one way, we were all the same. I knew that these people—my peers—shared similar hopes, dreams and fears as me. Without words, our bond was sealed, a mutual understanding in knowing just how similar our lived experiences happened to be. It was as if I had woken up in some sort of alternate, parallel reality, where having beta cells that didn’t function is the norm, and there are low treatments available whichever way you turn.

I’d say the highlight, as with most conferences and events, were the connections to other type 1s that I was able to make. I cherish and hold dear the conversations I was able to have, and hope that I can further foster some of the connections I formed. The emotional exchange that occurred between myself and some of the individuals I had the pleasure of meeting still moves me in ways that could bring me to tears. There is so much strength, and so much courage, within this amazing community, as well as so much passion and creativity, and I feel both extremely proud, and also quite lucky to be a part of it.

I came back to Massachusetts with a renewed sense of purpose in my heart, and a handful of friends I can’t imagine not knowing. These are the friendships that keep me going even on days when I feel like I just can’t do it anymore … because, believe me, I still have those days. I recognize how fortunate I am to live in a time and place where opportunities for peer connection, encouragement and support exist for people living with type 1 diabetes.

Sometimes we don’t know how lonely we are, until someone, or something, fills the space that once was empty. My experience in Maine at the Northeastern Slipstream has filled a space within me that I didn’t even know existed. These past few days, as I reflect further upon my experience, I feel a heck of a lot less lonely, and my heart is SO full knowing that despite the miles between us, and the differences in our stories, we are all in this together.

Being a part of the first ever Northeastern Slipstream has only fanned the flames of passion that I have for being a part of the diabetes community. As a DiabetesSisters PODS leader and Type One Run chapter leader, I see the merit of peer support in my everyday life. It is peer support that saved me when I was lost and lonely many years ago, and it is peer support that I turn to when times are tough, or I need a helping hand. I am so appreciative of all of the effort and hard work that was put into making this event a reality and hope going forward, I can do my part to help with programs just like this. My life is forever changed by this experience and I hope to carry the light that this has given me as I set my sights on future days and the next adventure I’ll be taking.


Hear more from Sarah on her blog—What Sarah Said. Learn more about the 2022 Slipstreams from Beyond Type 1 + Connected In Motion and join us in May!

WRITTEN BY Sarah MacLeod, POSTED 06/19/18, UPDATED 07/25/23

Sarah MacLeod was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2005 during her freshman year of high school. After struggling with her type 1 diabetes (T1D) management for years, she found support within the diabetes online community and quickly realized she wasn’t so alone after all. In 2013, Sarah began leading monthly peer support meetups for women living with all types of diabetes—creating a space where she could help share empowerment and education within her own community. More recently, Sarah became the chapter leader in Boston for Type One Run, and is thoroughly enjoying the exploration of what it means to be a T1D runner and athlete. Sarah is a certified holistic health coach, yoga instructor, freelance writer and passionate diabetes advocate who believes that true healing occurs when we turn inward and begin to recognize the strength, courage and determination that's waiting to be uncovered and unleashed.