Todd A. Clare

Email Todd: clare_todd@bah.com

IDEA 2000, Inc. co-founder, director 

Hello. My name is Todd Clare. I guess you could say this is all my idea. We were driving back from climbing at New River Gorge, WV when a friend jokingly suggested that I should organize a group of diabetics to go climb a mountain. Two emails to the climbing and diabetes discussion groups and a few months later, and here we are.

I am 24 years old, and have been diabetic for the last 22 years. I cannot remember a time without diabetes, and perhaps that is easier than getting it midlife. I do not usually think of it as an illness or a challenge or a curse, but only a normal part of me. However, sometimes it does hit me and I begin to thing how unfair it all is, and wonder why I have this disease.

When I do think like this, all I have to remember is how fortunate I really am. The diabetes is in pretty good control, I have a wonderful family, friends, and I was lucky enough to win the heart of my girlfriend, Patty. I have the health and the ability to go out and climb up mountains and to be a normal person who just happens to have a few extra things to do before I eat.

        I have been rock climbing for the last three years, both in a climbing gym here in Norfolk, as well as frequent trips to New River Valley. Despite being the son of my father, who brought a folding bed (with springs!) on a Cub Scout camping trip we had, I have grown to love the outdoors, hiking, and camping. 

The possibility of this trip astounds me. It will give me the opportunity to do something that not many people ever even consider, and fewer actually try to do. It will help to raise money to research diabetes and to get us all closer to the cure we all hope for. It may even inspire someone with diabetes, cancer, AIDS, or maybe someone who is poor, depressed, or with low self esteem, to go out and make their own life better. 

Essentially, we are walking up a giant hill. This is not a super human effort. We are, however, people of varied backgrounds, experiences, and nations coming together to cooperate so that each of us can attain a goal that we could not attain alone. In today’s world, this is something to be proud of, and I can truly say that I am.

About Todd Clare

Todd Clare is an accomplished rock climber, climbing instructor, outdoor enthusiast, mountaineer, computer artist, and life-long diabetic. 

Mr. Clare took the first step to bring together a group of insulin dependent diabetic climbers to share experiences and climb together. That initial group, who met over the Internet, evolved with his direct help and encouragement into IDEA 2000. Without Mr. Clare's hard work, long-term vision, and dedication, IDEA 2000 would not have ventured beyond its virtual beginning. Mr. Clare established IDEA 2000's initial presence on the Web which has brought important members and supporting partners to the project.

Diagnosed with insulin dependent diabetes at the age of 22 months, Mr. Clare has never known a life without diabetes and approaches the management of the disease as a great responsibility and challenge. Mr. Clare thanks his parents and doctors who understood early on the importance of good diabetes management, while encouraging a life full of experiences, excitement, and activity. This early support was key to the development of his outlook on life and positive, thoughtful approach to new experience and challenge. At the age of 13 he participated in his first rock climbing class. During college, Mr. Clare began to practice and train with increased intensity, and, to this day, to push his skills at some of the most important rock climbing destinations in the United States - New River Gorge, the Shawangunk Mountains, Seneca Rocks, and Red River Gorge. Mr. Clare has high altitude mountaineering experience in Mexico and trekking experience on the Appalachian Trail. Every week Mr. Clare brings his passion for climbing and contagiously positive outlook on life to children at his local climbing gym, where he volunteers as a rock climbing instructor.

Mr. Clare grew up in Frederickburg, Virginia, USA, and attended the University of Notre Dame, where he received a Bachelors of Science in Premedicine and Psychology. With a lifelong fascination with computers, Mr. Clare presently works as a technology consultant for Booz·Allen & Hamilton in Norfolk, Virginia. He is also in the process of pursuing graduate education in computer graphics, 3-dimensional animation, and concept visualization. Mr. Clare has been on insulin pump therapy for 3 years and has become a great proponent of this choice of intensive diabetes management, both for its rewards of greater glycemic control and lifestyle flexibility.