People with Diabetes

More than 9 million Canadians are living with diabetes or prediabetes - meet the people behind the numbers

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Garrett Tilley - Timberlea, NS

It has been seven years since Garrett Tilley was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. At that time, the Nova Scotia resident had no idea his diagnosis would play a part in helping choose his post-secondary education program.

Garrett had the opportunity to attend Nova Scotia’s camping program for children living with type 1 diabetes.

“Camp is a place where everyone understands how you feel,” explains Garrett. “I’ve had a lot of laughs and made some lifelong friends thanks to my involvement with summer camp.”

Along with being a camper, Garrett also took the next step in his participation at camp by becoming a leader-in-training. Having been a camper himself, he wanted to give back to other children living with diabetes. Additionally, the internationally recognized Leadership Training Program offers confidence-building exercises and interactive education sessions that help participants like Garrett outside of the camp environment.

Now a student at Mount Saint Vincent University in the Child & Youth Program, Garrett looks forward to focusing his adult career on working with children and youth in the community. “If I could work in camps all year round, I would.”