I Belong Outside: Dineo’s Story
This blog is part of our Elevating Voices series in partnership with
Meet Dineo Dowd. Dini is one of Hike it Baby’s Board of Directors members, and a former Branch Ambassador. She’s an author of multiple children's books and has a 7-year-old daughter. Her family lives in Madison, Wisconsin, but this wasn’t always the case!
Growing Up I grew up in South Africa, but did not have a connection to hiking. Hiking was something tourists did. They carried their stuffed packs and headed out, and I always wondered what ARE they doing? What is even IN those packs? Hiking and camping just were just tourist activities, and I wasn’t involved in them at all until moving to the United States.
Moving to the United States When I moved to Utah, my husband and I went hiking very frequently and became very outdoorsy. I was hiking regularly, camping all the time, and had an amazing group of friends to do all of these activities with. It was everything, and an important part of my identity. My husband and I planned to keep up this outdoorsy lifestyle even after the birth of our daughter, Armani. However, once Armani arrived, I found that hiking with a baby was new and different. Those friends that I hiked with didn’t always want to listen to a baby cry, or wait for diaper changes and feedings.
One day, my husband and I attempted a difficult hike with the baby, and I slipped and fell, breaking my camera. This left me frustrated and lacking confidence in hiking with my daughter. An important part of my life was gone and I felt defeated.
Enter Hike it Baby One day, I was chatting with a stranger who mentioned Hike it Baby. This mom mentioned a group called Hike it Baby, where moms and babies would go out for hikes as a group. This sounded amazing, and I looked them up for a hike to attend. I ended up going on my first Hike it Baby hike, which was also the first hike for the Salt Lake City branch. Hike it Baby changed my life. I began hiking five days a week with other parents, building my confidence in hiking with my daughter and spending time outside. Armani has had the opportunity to grow up outside, thanks to our adventures together and my deep desire to raise her with a connection to nature.
In spending time in nature, I've learned the most important piece to getting outside with kids is just that – Get outside! Worry about the gear later. People get overwhelmed with all of the things and gear to get outside, but it usually doesn’t matter – just start going outside. Simply open the door and start exploring together. There are so many benefits to taking those steps outside and embracing nature. By stepping out of my comfort zone, I've had the opportunity to embrace nature, meet amazing new people, and travel to awesome places (next up, Mount Kilimanjaro!).
Inclusivity in Nature When I first sought out diverse children’s books about hiking, I found that there simply were none on the shelves. I wanted Armani to be able to see herself in nature, and so I wrote a children’s book to make that happen. I'm now a published children’s book author with multiple titles, diverse books and is helping children everywhere see themselves in nature! I may have started with Hike it Baby Salt Lake City, but have since been involved in multiple Hike it Baby branches and my advice is that there are so many resources and ways to be inclusive, there is no excuse not to be inclusive in nature. Just make it happen!
Watch Dineo's Story Here
ABOUT OUTGROWN
OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org
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A few years ago, after a bout of influenza, I progressively struggled when riding my spin bike during winter training sessions. As a then-avid mountain biker, trail runner, hiker, etc., it was alarming to feel sudden dizziness, blazing hot, and like I could not breathe after barely any exertion.
And then the hives hit. I had hives constantly. An Allergist-Immunologist diagnosed me with "Exercise Induced Anaphylaxis," and with a sternly written letter, warned me I should NEVER hike in remote areas due to the risk of not receiving immediate medical help. Me. The kind of mom to my first child who carried him in my Deuter KC 1 on backpacking trips to Pictured Rocks … alone. I was constantly outdoors with my oldest, and my nickname was the Energizer Bunny because I never stopped pushing my limits.
It wasn’t just hives, though, and just anaphylaxis with exercising to “exertion.” I became dizzy constantly and exhausted, and I could barely walk. I had to take a leave of absence from my teaching job so I could lie in bed at home because that’s all I could do.
My body essentially lost its chill after the influenza virus. Fast forward to some Mayo Clinic trips, and I was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS.) I could only stay level in bed or risk blacking out. My legs would turn purple from blood pooling if I stood. I couldn’t even grocery shop or make dinner.
I went through some pretty dark days in 2015 to early 2016. By April 2016, after using up all of my time off and then some, I decided to quit my career in order to focus on regaining my health. I started by walking block(s) with my husband because I was petrified I’d pass out on the cement. I could not even think of going on a trail. I’d have panic attacks if we tried to go to a park to walk trails.
Now? We’ve done three HiB 30 challenges with 100+ miles each. I know it’s about getting my kiddos outside in nature, but I’ll admit, I have my own goal beyond getting them outside. There was a time I thought I’d never be able to hike any mileage with my boys again, and it crushed me as a mother. The potential loss of trips, adventures and memories crushed me! Time in nature with my boys will always be worth the work, so thanks to Hike it Baby for inspiring me to get after it again.
Liz Goossen has lived on all three coasts of the United States, but currently resides on the Third Coast in West Michigan with her husband, Darryl; two sons, 9-year-old Noah and 16-month-old Graham; and their stubborn yet adorable Husky, River. When she is not out adventuring in the ever impressive Great Lakes region, Liz is probably relaxing at home with her boys and researching their next adventure. She and her family participated in the November 2018 HiB 30 Challenge and surpassed her goal of doing 150 miles. They ended the challenge with 162.89 miles and 3492 minutes.
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