About Me

Name: Taylor Shantz
Location: Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Occupation: Graduate Student
Age: 26

Who: While most of you are reading this because you know me, I'm hoping that some will be sent here by their friends & family and others will arrive by chance. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Taylor Shantz and I am a recovering couch potatoe.

Why: I am not a diabetic. I will never experience the daily rituals that a diabetic person must undertake such as poking my fingers with a sharp needle to check my glucose level, or giving myself injections of insulin before every meal, and I will never experience the stress and discomfort that a diabetic with medical complications and their family goes through.

I originally joined Team Diabetes Canada for a personal challenge that would allow me to express my desire to be involved with community service. Being involved not only allows me to be an agent of change but also allows me to connect with likeminded individuals and develop new skills. This opportunity also allowed me to fufill my desire to travel internationally.

I have continued with the Team Diabetes program after meeting some truly inspiration people involved with this organization. Every meeting and event that I attend leaves me with renewed spirit to continue with my initiative. Furthermore, training for Team Diabetes races has left me with increased energy and improved health. Since I began with the Team Diabetes program I have lost over 40 pounds! Finally, I am slowly warming up to my once least favourite sports - running. So it turns out I do not really "hate" running but I'm not ready to admit that I like it just yet.