== Profile ==
Name: Jeffrey Lash
Age: 33
Years with T1D: < 1yr
Age at diagnosis: 32
From: Baltimore, MD
Years climbing: 6 total.
Favorite type of climbing: Friction and thin slab.
Goals: To travel and climb. My tick list includes Yosemite, the Sierras, and the Cascades.
Contact: [email protected]
== Bio ==
I started climbing as a high school freshman after my father suggested we try a non-team related outdoor activity. The two of us attended a three day introductory climbing course at Seneca Rocks, WV and promptly began climbing every weekend possible. Occasionally, my dad, brother, and I would take long weekend trips back to Seneca and down to North Carolina. Each winter we would fly out west to climb in Joshua Tree National Park or Queen Creek Canyon. After high school, as I started college and began working full time, I fell out of climbing all together. After 13 years a good friend of mine coaxed me into a rock gym and my passion for climbing was reignited. Since then I’m back to climbing every weekend at the small crags around the Mid-Atlantic area.
Climbing has made such a positive impact on my life. It reminds me of my childhood, playing outside, getting dirty, climbing trees. Climbing allows me to escape from the mundane; its that rush of excitement and achievement. Most importantly, I love the climbing community, meeting new people and sharing our stories of struggle and triumph.
About a year ago I was experiencing all the tell-tale symptoms of high blood sugar. A week later, at age 32, I was insulin dependent and diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, LADA. While fearful of how this was going to alter my life and interests, I was determined not to let diabetes compromise my passion for climbing. My girlfriend reminded me that the decisions I’ll now have to make, minding what I eat, the finger pricks, counting carbs, all the injections, and exercising, all these things will make me stronger, healthier person. I’ve learned so much in the last 10 months, yet I still feel like a rookie, a diabetic noob.
I am so proud to be part of Team Living Vertical as I continue to learn about my diabetes and grow as a climber. Through TLV I want to share my stories of struggle and triumph, and encourage people with diabetes to pursue their passions and interests. I hope others can realize that diabetes does not have to be a compromise, but a catalyst, an incentive to live a healthy, active life.
