When I was diagnosed in 1985, my endocrinologist told me, "David, if you do the things we're suggesting, you'll be part of the first generation of diabetics to be free of complications." It's 14 years and counting and I'm controlling my diabetes better than ever. 

I stumbled into the IDEA 2000 website by chance during the spring of '99 while searching the web for diabetes sites. At first I thought "Wow, what a challenge," then I did some thinking and realized this was exactly the kind of group I wanted to be involved with. I'd been thinking for some time about building up my mountaineering skills but living in St. Louis doesn't allow many weekend peak-bagging trips. So after a long phone call to David Panofsky I was hooked on this project and committed to join the first team-training trip in the High Sierra. My outdoor résumé is short on summits so the North Palisade at 14,200+ ft. was a real challenge. The glacier travel was tough, especially above the berschrund, and the rock pitches were unlike any climbing I've ever done. Thanks to the constant attention and support of the team I was soon sharing the summit with Deke, David and Doug. The time spent with the team on that trip (and the view from the top!) cemented my interest in aiming for Cerro Aconcagua in December of 2000.

One of the most interesting aspects of this project is learning how differently we all manage this disease. For me, keeping tight control means using a Minimed insulin pump and testing six times a day. Those elements, combined with working closely with my endocrinologist and nurse educators, keep my HA1c results in the low sixes. I realize that my control is based on access to quality healthcare and new therapies. Through this project, I hope we'll be able to help introduce better care to people with diabetes throughout South America. 

Personally, I'm 29 and have been married to my wife Ellen for about a year a half. You can see us both in the photo taken on our honeymoon in the Canadian rockies at Sentinel Pass just a couple thousand feet below the summit of Mt. Temple in Banff. We recently found out that we're pregnant and Ellen is due in late July 2000. We can't wait for our new arrival! 

When I found out about IDEA 2000, its people and their ideas, expedition idea, etc., I knew I found what I was looking for since I became diabetic. I am happy that I can share others' experience and that my experience will be shared in the future and that I can help IDEA 2000.

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