COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
On the Summer Solstice of 2025, I had the heartfelt honour of taking part in Erin Hill Acres’ Wellness Market and Retreat as both a panelist and vendor. Holding space with Kasia Sitarz – Transformational Wellness Coach, Dr. Michelle Peris – Naturopathic Doctor, and Ravi Gandi – Poet, I spoke about authenticity, the difference between joy and happiness, and the power of meaningful connection. Surrounded by my loved ones and a beautiful community, it was a day abundant with warmth, depth, and gratitude—one that filled my heart and reinforced just how healing it is to come together in shared purpose.
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 at their Summer Family Camp, educating and supporting parents on the links between Mental Health and Type 1 Diabetes. What a privilege it has been 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.
In the Summer of 2025, I had the privilege of being interviewed by Lauren Bongiorno, Nationally Board Certified Health Coach and founder of Risely Health, on her podcast Reclaim Your Rise. In our conversation, I shared both personal and professional insights into the complex relationship between emotions and type 1 diabetes (T1D)—from grief and stress to survival mode and emotional regulation. To anyone carrying the emotional weight of your T1D journey: you’re not alone, and we’re here to help.
In the Spring of 2024, I was granted the experience of being interviewed by Kasia Sitarz, Transformational Wellness Coach and Owner of The Clinic, in Acton, Ontario, on her podcast: Thrise Podcast. Kasia and I unpacked 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 none other than our very first guest on Mind The Gaps podcast, Samantha Gladish.
MENAMORPHOSIS
In the Summer of 2024, I had the chance to sit down for an interview with Relationship Coach, Mike Elliot, on his podcast: Menamorphosis. After listening my interview with Kasia Sitarz, 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.