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living with diabetes does not hold ellie fraser back. a self-described go-getter from toronto, ontario, ellie has a graduate degree in neuroscience, a thriving professional career, a busy roster of volunteer work, and a deep and active passion for outdoor adventures. she credits her life-changing experiences at diabetes canada’s d-camps with developing her resilience and determination.
“the role models i met at camp shifted my mindset from ‘i can’t do that’ to ‘how can i do that with diabetes?’ they were superheroes to me, and they all had diabetes,” reflects ellie. “camp is where i learned to be confident and independent in ways that i’ve carried with me into all aspects of my life. i really don’t think i’d be the person i am today if it weren’t for d-camps.”
a safe place to build confidence and independence
d-camps offer a unique summer camp experience for children with diabetes, combining traditional camp fun with a medically supervised, safe and supportive environment. at camp, kids develop independence while surrounded by peers who understand their journey.
ellie started attending her local d-camp, camp huronda, when she was seven years old, and it became a central experience for her every summer.
“i was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 18 months old, so i can’t remember life when i wasn’t the ‘girl with diabetes.’ at d-camp, everyone has diabetes, so that was no longer my core identity, and i felt free to explore other parts of my personality,” ellie explains. “camp was a safe place to challenge myself, build my diabetes management skills, find a community, and connect with role models who showed me that diabetes doesn’t have to limit my potential.”
for ellie, the impact of attending camp huronda is connected to milestones in her childhood, such as being able to go to a friend’s house for a sleepover. “initially, we saw it as an opportunity for her to become more independent and confident in her self-care while experiencing the outdoors that she loved,” explain ellie’s parents, john and ming. “over time, we also saw her create a great support network and friendships with others her age that had diabetes and learn from role models among the counsellors and staff. attending camp huronda turned out better than we could have imagined for ellie.”
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pushing limits to build resilience
“a highlight of my senior camper years was canoe trips. they were another incredible confidence builder, and ignited my love for outdoor adventure,” ellie shares. “we started with two-day trips, then three, and as i got older, four or five days and longer. we were in the backcountry, learning to cook over a fire, and i was having the best time! trips were so empowering because i was gradually learning to manage my diabetes in increasingly challenging circumstances and environments.”
lauren linklater, senior manager of d-camps, explains that camp experiences are designed to cultivate resilience: “camp fosters controlled risk-taking, allowing campers to try new things and learn about themselves while having the support they need. canoe trips exemplify this as campers navigate the wilderness, drive themselves physically, rely on each other, and push their limits.”
role models and community at camp
“d-camps build community and resilience through small moments among cabinmates and between campers and staff. from mealtimes to bracelet making and all the moments in between, everyone at camp is sharing experiences, tips and tricks, and empathy,” says lauren, who also attended camp huronda, worked there as a counsellor during ellie’s time, and later worked as a staff member. “as a young camper, the staff were my role models. they were kind, welcoming, energetic, and navigating life with diabetes. they helped me to realize diabetes did not need to hold me back.”
transition to adulthood
as a teenager, ellie went on to become a counsellor too, and in subsequent years, held multiple staff roles. her cumulative summers at camp huronda prepared her to tackle big changes that required self-sufficiency and independence as she transitioned into adulthood.
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“after years of managing my diabetes for the whole summer away from home, i never thought twice about moving to british columbia for my undergrad and later, moving to alberta to complete my master’s degree in neuroscience,” says ellie. “i had learned to be unafraid to seek out the right tools and supports to be as healthy as possible and achieve what i want to.”
today, ellie works in medical device regulation and lives in toronto with her diabetes alert dog, vesper, and her husband, who shares her passion for backcountry camping trips. ellie is also an active leadership volunteer with several organizations, including serving as co-chair of friends of camp huronda, an alumni group that keeps the d-camps spirit and connections alive into adulthood.
giving back to create resilient communities
ellie is enthusiastic about giving back and fostering support for herself and others. her volunteerism keeps her linked to a supportive network of role models and friends who, like her, enjoy pushing personal boundaries and living full lives with type 1 diabetes. she is starting to prepare for planning a family and is surrounded by women who have navigated pregnancy and family planning with type 1 diabetes.
“two things that have made me the most resilient when it comes to my diabetes are community and finding the tools that i need. by staying surrounded by friends who have diabetes, we can offer each other perspectives, lessons, and information that you can’t get in a doctor’s office,” says ellie. “when you’re in a community sharing experiences or inspiring others, facing challenges doesn’t have to feel scary; it can feel exciting and wonderful.”
living with diabetes is often relentless journey, but diabetes canada is here with support you can trust along the way. visit diabetes.ca.
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