Liz Jordan

Liz Jordan — ADA Camp Veteran Looks Back

Liz Jordan knows a thing or two about summer camps. She's been attending an American Diabetes Association camp (Donovan McNabb Diabetes Camp for Kids in Philadelphia) for the past eight summers. As Liz prepares to go off to college this fall, she reflects back on her time as a camper and how the ADA camp made a significant impression on her life.

You attended ADA camps for eight years. Why did you keep coming back?

Camp is a place where kids with diabetes can feel completely “normal” because everyone around them is dealing with the exact same problem. Not only that but everyone has such a positive attitude while they are at camp and we are all so happy to be there.

It is truly the best week of my year. Everyone with diabetes knows how difficult it is to live with the disease, but together, especially at camp, we can all learn how to make the most out of life.

What have you learned at camp?

I learned a lot at camp over the years. I learned how to give my own shots, how to better control my diabetes, but most importantly, I learned to never let diabetes get in my way of achieving my goals.

I like to look at it this way — we aren't diabetics, we are just kids living with diabetes. For anyone out there who is struggling with the disease keep this in mind… you are NOT a diabetic, you are just a person LIVING with diabetes. We have to deal with enough stereotyping as it is, one more label is the last thing we all need.

What is your favorite camp memory?

My favorite camp memory is meeting all of the incredible life-long friends that I have there. However, a close second is the day that my friend and I were canoeing in the lake and got tipped over by some of our other friends. And oh yes, how could I forget the random late night conversations that would take place in the cabin?

Can you explain your other roles within ADA?

I am the youth advocate for ADA in Philadelphia I speak at many special events about what it is like to be a teen living with diabetes. I have been the captain of multiple Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes teams for the ADA as well as a camper and counselor at ADA camps.

What are your future plans?

I will be attending Penn State University in the fall and plan to major in Public Relations.

ADA is the largest provider of camps for children with diabetes in the world. Each year, more than 10,000 children benefit from camping programs provided through ADA funding. For more information, visit our Web site under Diabetes Camps.