Volunteer Spotlight: Robin Caffee

What made you decide to volunteer at Camp Hendon and how long have you been volunteering?
When I was 8 and was shipped off to camp, I was scared because I thought there were only like 3 kids in the world with diabetes. I was so wrong. I had the greatest time and I knew I wanted to help someone else know they weren’t alone too. I knew when I left that summer in 1988 that I would be coming back for many years to
follow.

What is your role at camp?
Tie Dye Apprentice, though over the years I have done many jobs with camp including Adult Counselor and way back when Executive Team.

Why do you come back year after year? What do you get from camp or how has it impacted your life?
My goal year after year with camp is to make a difference for one person, that could be a camper or another volunteer, that’s what I want. Make a difference for one person. As long as that happens I will be coming back.

What is your favorite activity at camp and why?
Meal times, duh!! I just like being where everyone is. It’s a good time to catch up and see what everyone has been up to.

What are some things you have learned or taken away from camp?
That even though we all have diabetes, everyone’s journey is different. I can sympathize with your struggles
but everyone’s experience is unique. Not to compare to another.

What do you do in your real life when you’re not giving your time to Camp Hendon?
OH MAN!! This whole quarantine has really changed what I like to do. I am currently into reading, bird watching, walking, and playing card games with my family. I work as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant at John Kenyon Eye Centers where I do eye exams and assist with LASIK working in the OR on Thursday afternoons. I have been married for 17 (almost) years to my husband David and we have two boys Julien (14) and Connor (11). I also have two pups, Joshua and Oliver. I am the only girl in my house!!

Do you have any skills or talents that many may not know about you?
I like to make jewelry and paint. I am by no means an artist but it helps to have a creative outlet for sure!!

At what age were you diagnosed with T1D?
Age 8 (6/1988)

Favorite low treatment snack?
​Peanut butter and granola bars

​Are you on a pump &/or CGM? If so, which ones?
I am on a Tandem T-Flex and a Dexcom G6

What is hard for you? How do you manage it?
UGHHH!!! Night time sugars suck. Always have. It is a constant battle that Dr. Broadstone and I have managed to get somewhat under control! The CGM helps SO MUCH!!

Favorite tip for dominating T1D when you have diabetes burnout?
Burnout happens. We all go through it at one point or another. I just try to remember that I am a person with
diabetes, diabetes does not define me. So, if I have a high blood sugar I need to fix it and move on, it doesn’t
define me. I define me, diabetes is just a part of me. I wear a medical ID. Actually, I just started wearing one
recently, like February recently. I had not found one that I like but then I saw an ad for Medic Alert and they have a lot of new cute styles so I bit the bullet. It was hard for me, I really don’t know why, just another thing that deals with my diabetes attached to my body I guess but it could always be worse!!

---