COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
One of my proudest volunteer experiences has been with D-Camp’s ‘Camp Huronda’, an overnight camp sponsored by Diabetes Canada for youth living with Type 1 Diabetes. As a Type 1 Diabetic (T1D) myself, I attended Camp Huronda every Summer from ages 9-14 where I felt safe to just enjoy being a kid – not a kid defined by her diagnosis. In the Summer of 2024, I was invited back to Huronda by my childhood camp counsellor, Lauren Linklater – now Camp Director and Manager – to speak annually at their Summer Family Camp, educating and supporting parents on the links between Mental Health and Type 1 Diabetes. What a privilege it is to give back to the magical little nook of Hunstville, Ontario, that gave me so much as a child.
When I was 12 years old, my family helped me establish the Kirsten Davidson Scholarship Fund through the non-for-profit organization, Diabetes Hope Foundation. This scholarship was presented to university bound students at the annual Diabetes Hope Foundation Scholarship Awards Ceremony, to help alleviate financial burden on students living with Type 1 Diabetes. This scholarship fund was active for 6 years; 2009 – 2015.
In 2023, I was invited to facilitate DHF’s ‘HOPE Connects Peer Mentor Training’ program for university students supporting university-bound students – all living with Type 1 Diabetes. I’m grateful to DHF’s Founder, Barbara Pasternak, and Executive Director, Heather Miller, for affording me the opportunity to educate young men and women living with Type 1 Diabetes on self-care, compassion, and boundaries.
“Home is when someone notices you are not there.” – Johann Hari. This quote is what I think of when I think of Burlington PYC – home. Since the day I joined in 2023, I’ve been welcomed with open arms and open hearts. My journey with yoga has been one that I didn’t expect to accompany so much psychological flexibility in addition to the physical – it’s truly the work of the mind and the body. I’ve been lucky enough to be led by the PYC team, each of whom stays true to the pillars of yoga and each with their own flare – every class gives me something new to think about.
As a psychotherapist, l’m big on creating spaces of non-judgement whilst still pushing limits and expanding – this is what PYC is all about. As I’ve told Aneta Pietruszko, Studio Owner, Co-Founder and Retreat Leader of Soulful Yoga Wellness, Lululemon Ambassador, and now, my good friend and accountability partner, “your studio simply is a growth zone.”
Listen to my Mind the Gaps podcast episode featuring Aneta – Episode #6: Life Lessons from Yoga.
In the Spring of 2024, I was interviewed by Kasia Sitarz, Transformational Coach and Owner of The Clinic, in Acton, Ontario, on her podcast: Thrise Podcast. Kasia and I got to unpack my journey into psychotherapy, processing trauma, therapeutic interventions, moving from comfort to growth, and normalizing therapy as a form of ‘mental fitness’. I’m grateful to have met Kasia at a local breathwork class led by our first guest on Mind The Gaps podcast, Samantha Gladish.
MENAMORPHOSIS
In the Summer of 2024, I was interviewed by Relationship Coach, Mike Elliot, on his podcast: Menamorphosis. After listening my interview with Kasia (see above), Mike graciously invited me into his sphere; “my soul tribe” – Mike E., to talk about all thing’s psychotherapy and healing. In this episode, we dove into self-help, family dynamics, support networks, taking leaps of faith, and the importance of ‘play’ in our lives.