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Danica Doble, a fitness coach and content creator who has been living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) since 2009 recently partnered with Breakthrough T1D Canada as a social media ambassador. She sat down with the organization to share more about her journey, and why she’s so open about how teenage struggles living with T1D empowered her to become a fitness trainer and passionate advocate for the T1D community.

Content warning: please note this piece discusses eating disorders

What do you remember about your T1D diagnosis?

I remember being a seven-year-old little girl and experiencing all of the vicious symptoms that come along with a type 1 diabetes diagnosis. It was a Monday night, and I was at gymnastics practice. Immediately after practice, my mom got a phone call from my doctor stating that I needed to go to the hospital because I had just been diagnosed with T1D. For the next five days, I spent eight hours in the hospital each day and my parents learned everything they could about T1D. Back in 2009, type one diabetes wasn’t talked about much, so my parents really didn’t know what to expect. I remember playing with all the toys that they provided in the hospital and thank goodness for my parents for being attentive, because I most definitely was not. I returned to normal life after those five days, not knowing what was happening to me, not knowing why my parents had to poke my finger and poke my arm every time I wanted to eat. However, as hard as that week was, that week is the reason that I’m who I am today.

Can you tell us a little about starting your fitness journey, after being an active teenager with T1D?

My fitness journey began in 2018; I was like every other teenager. I played sports. I hung out with my friends. I went to school. To be honest with you, I probably lived too much of a normal life. I neglected my blood sugars throughout my teen years and was definitely not focussed on diabetes management. I partied a little too much at times and had a little too much fun with my friends, however, I definitely don’t regret anything because not only did I experience life, but it also prompted me to start my fitness journey.

Although I was quite active as a competitive soccer player, my nutrition was really something that I neglected. After my trip to Europe in 2018, I had told myself that I just wanted to lose 5 pounds to feel better about myself. I quickly learned about calorie deficits and strength training and began doing things to an extreme. 5 pounds later turned into 50. During this time, I had not only lost too much weight but had also lost my period and had developed two eating disorders. It was at this point that I decided to become the healthiest and strongest version of myself. I put on about 20 to 30 pounds, much of it being muscle, and learned everything you could about working out and nutrition.

Can you share a little about your dual diagnoses and how you manage your binge eating disorder (BED) today

My binge eating lasted for about two years, and it was due to the fact that I had eaten so few calories for so long. There were many days when I felt so out of control with my eating and I would compensate these binges by doing hours worth of cardio the next day. It’s an incredibly vicious cycle and very, very difficult to get out of. After my binges, my blood sugars would be so incredibly high, and it would take them hours if not days to come down then the cycle would repeat itself. Today, I am proud to say that I have been free for five years. I started fueling my body properly and made sure that I was getting enough calories. Although I still struggle at times with overeating I no longer eat until I feel sick, which in my opinion is major progress.

How did you come to have food neutrality?
My relationship with food has been rocky over the years, but I am proud to say that my relationship with food is at an all-time high. I now understand that there are no good or bad foods and food is food. Some foods are more nutrient dense while other foods are less nutrient dense. However, that does not make one better over the other. Sometimes my body craves a chocolate cake while other times my body is craving a bowl of fruit. In my opinion, I believe that all food serves a significant purpose whether it’s food that makes your body feel good, or food that makes your soul feel good. While the way I physically feel matters, so do memories. I’ve come to realize that food will always be a massive part of celebrations and events, and when I’m 80 years old, I want to be able to look back on these memories and remember all of the laughs that were shared over good food, not how little I ate that day or how healthy I was during these events.

How does powerlifting help you feel empowered with managing your T1D, both physically and emotionally?

Weightlifting has done wonders for me not just physically, but emotionally too. Not only has it significantly helped my blood sugars, but it helped me in so many other aspects of my life. The empowerment I feel from weightlifting is like no other because it just really goes to show that you can do absolutely anything in your life, even with type 1 diabetes.

How do you use your social media platforms to connect with others in the T1D community

I started my social media platforms in 2022 to mainly focus on the fitness side of things however, after about a year, I wanted to do more. I wanted to make an impact for the T1D community and show people that living with it can have positives. I started my type one diabetes account by posting relatable content and bringing light to dark topics quickly. I was able to grow a substantial following on that account and created a community like no other! I’ve connected with hundreds, if not, thousands of people and it is something I will forever be grateful for. I get tons of messages from people telling me that I’ve helped them, when in reality they’ve helped me just as much.

What are you excited about partnering with Breakthrough T1D Canada?

I’m excited to partner with Breakthrough T1D Canada because of the incredible impact the organization has on the type 1 community. I believe that it’s so important to hear stories and experiences from other type 1s, so people know they’re not alone in their experience & journey.

Anything else you’d like to share with the Canadian T1D community?

I’d like to share with the community that as much as diabetes can suck sometimes, and be incredibly difficult, perspective is everything. Type 1 diabetes has connected me with so many amazing people, and it’s made me strong, courageous, and powerful!

Follow Danica on her IG account @deeabetes

Stephanie Atkinson, a Montreal, QC based adult Breakthrough T1D Canada ambassador, sat down with the organization to discuss what drew her to volunteering and what it’s like to be diagnosed as a busy mother and businesswoman.

Tell us a little bit more about yourself

My name is Stephanie Atkinson. I’m a mom of four, a skin and beauty expert, founder of Mayfield Glow, and a recent finalist on the Miss Universe Canada stage.

Before anything else, I’m someone who has learned firsthand how fragile life can be — and how powerful resilience is.

I built my career helping women feel confident and cared for through skincare and wellness. But my own health journey shifted my purpose in a deeper way.

Standing on the Miss Universe Canada stage as one of the first finalists openly wearing two visible diabetes devices — an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor — wasn’t just about competing. It was about representation. It was about showing that living with a chronic illness does not disqualify you from showing up fully, boldly, and beautifully in the world.

Today, I use my platform to advocate for type 1 diabetes awareness, especially for adults diagnosed later in life, while balancing motherhood, entrepreneurship, and advocacy.

Can you share a little bit about your diagnosis? What do you remember?

Before my diagnosis, I was sick for many days, but it was during COVID and most clinics were closed, so accessing care felt nearly impossible. I was exhausted in a way that didn’t make sense. I now know I was experiencing all the classic “4 Ts” of type 1 diabetes — thirst, tiredness, toilet, and thinner. I was constantly thirsty, extremely fatigued, using the bathroom nonstop, and losing weight rapidly. My vision began to blur, I could barely walk, and deep down I knew something was very wrong — but as a mom, you push through.

When I finally got into a clinic, I was told I had a urinary tract infection. I remember saying I had never had one before, but I was told that strange things happen before turning 30. I left feeling dismissed, even though my body was telling me something much more serious was happening.

The next morning, everything changed.

I woke up to a police officer at my door doing a wellness check. My doctor had reviewed my results and realized I had been misdiagnosed — my blood work showed I was actually in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening emergency where the body begins breaking down fat for fuel because it cannot use glucose properly without insulin. Acid builds up in the bloodstream, and without immediate treatment, it can be fatal.

When I got to the hospital, things were still confusing. Initially, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes because I was an adult. But my condition worsened quickly, and I ended up in the ICU with severe DKA. I remember feeling like my body was shutting down. I was losing vision in my left eye, I couldn’t walk properly, and everything felt overwhelming and terrifying.

Later, after further testing, I was correctly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

I was 29 years old, a mother, and suddenly my entire life changed. I didn’t fit the stereotype people imagine when they think of Type 1 diabetes — and that experience is one of the main reasons I advocate so strongly today, especially for adults who are diagnosed later in life.

Over 70% of Canadian T1D diagnoses are in adults. How did you find the transition to your new normal?

The hardest part wasn’t just learning how to manage insulin — it was realizing how little support exists for adults diagnosed later in life. 

As a mother and entrepreneur, I had to quickly learn how to balance blood sugars, medical appointments, and new technology while still showing up for my family and my work. There’s a lot of education and community built around children diagnosed with Type 1, but adult diagnosis can feel isolating.

To be honest, there were many times I wished I had been diagnosed as a child. By the time I was diagnosed, I was already an adult, already a mom, already carrying so many responsibilities. A lot of guilt came with that — guilt about how my diagnosis might affect my family, guilt about slowing down, and guilt about having to suddenly prioritize my health in ways I never had before.

Over time, I learned that managing diabetes isn’t selfish — it’s necessary. I built a support system, connected with community, and learned to use technology as a tool for confidence instead of fear. That transition taught me how strong and adaptable we really are, and that being diagnosed later in life doesn’t mean you’re behind — it just means your journey looks different.

You went into DKA prior to your diagnosis. Are ketone levels and how they’re measured something you think about more now?

Absolutely. Once you’ve experienced DKA, awareness becomes second nature.

I pay close attention to how my body feels, especially when blood sugars are elevated or when I’m sick. I monitor ketones when needed and rely heavily on my diabetes technology for early warnings. It’s not about living in fear — it’s about understanding my body and staying proactive so I can avoid going through that experience again.

Why do you wear your diabetes devices so visibly?

The honest answer is that at first, I didn’t want to.

In the beginning, I was ashamed of my devices and tried to hide them as much as possible. As a woman working in beauty and wellness, I felt pressure to look polished and seamless, and I worried that people would only see my diagnosis instead of me.

What changed my perspective was my children.

One day, one of my kids came home from school excitedly telling me about a student in their fifth-grade class who wore a Dexcom and was having a diabetic emergency. Because my child was familiar with diabetes from watching me manage it every day, they recognized what was happening and were able to help alert an adult quickly.

That moment shifted something in me. I realized this was bigger than me. If more people saw these devices visibly — and understood what they were — it wouldn’t just help me feel more confident, it could help others too.

On the Miss Universe Canada stage, I made a conscious decision not only to wear my devices openly, but to bedazzle them. So many times, I hear, “But you don’t look sick.” And the truth is — Type 1 diabetes is an invisible illness. I wanted to bring joy and light to something that can feel heavy and misunderstood. If I was going to wear them, I was going to wear them proudly.

Visibility creates conversation. Conversation creates understanding. And understanding saves lives.

If someone sees me and feels less alone or more confident wearing their own devices, that makes it all worth it.

Is there anything else you wanted to share with the T1D community, particularly with others diagnosed as adults?

You did not cause this.

Being diagnosed as an adult can feel confusing and isolating because many people still believe type 1 diabetes only happens in childhood. When you’re diagnosed later in life, you’re often already carrying so many responsibilities — careers, families, and expectations — and it can feel like your world shifts overnight.

But your diagnosis does not change your value, your strength, or your future.

Give yourself permission to learn slowly, to ask for help, and to prioritize your health without guilt. Managing diabetes isn’t about being perfect — it’s about showing yourself grace and continuing to move forward. 

You can still chase your dreams. You can still show up boldly. You can still build a beautiful, full life. Type 1 diabetes is something I manage — it does not define or limit who I am.

***

Breakthrough T1D Canada thanks Stephanie for her efforts on behalf of the T1D community and for her important work as a peer support volunteer and advocate.

Ramya (left), Dr. Bruce Verchere, Co-Director at the Centre (middle), and Dr. Benjamin Mammon, another member of the T1D Lived Experience Advisory Group (right). Photo credit: Macy Yap

Type 1 diabetes stories help shape research 

Ramya Hosak was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at age 19 while attending university. Since then, she has been a devoted volunteer, helping others navigate the challenges of T1D and the steep learning curve that accompanies a life-altering diagnosis. 

As co-chair of the T1D Lived Experience Advisory Group at the Breakthrough T1D Canucks For Kids Fund Centre of Excellence at the University of British Columbia (UBC), her perspective helps guide the Centre’s research and connect the T1D community with the researchers advancing cures. Her voice is just one of many representing a diverse group of faces and stories, working with researchers to drive innovative therapies.  

Ramya’s passion is nonprofit work, specifically in social justice, community development, and equal access to healthcare. To better unite the T1D community in BC, she co-founded Young and T1, a local support group that helps young adults with T1D through the transition to adulthood. 

We asked Ramya to share the reasons behind her incredible volunteering and what T1D research means to her. 

Breakthrough T1D Canada: Can you tell us about your T1D diagnosis? 

Ramya: I was diagnosed in my second year of university. Super tired and barely able to keep my eyes open in the lecture hall, I was constantly chastising myself. “Don’t be a wimp, everyone else is struggling with midterms and finals, get it together and toughen up, Ramya,” I thought to myself as I chugged a litre of juice. 

But I kept getting weaker. Eventually, my parents dragged me to the hospital, practically carrying me to the ER. That’s when I found out, at 19 years old, that T1D can occur at any age, not just in childhood. Initially, I was relieved at the diagnosis that explained my recent exhaustion. Yet as time went on, questions arose that couldn’t be answered by medical professionals who hadn’t been in my position. My parents and friends assumed that as a responsible adult, I had things under control and was fine. 

But I wasn’t fine. I went from being a student who enjoyed an active social life, going out with my friends without a second thought, to suddenly having to be so careful. I felt a need to act like everything was fine and hide the toll that the invisible full-time job of T1D was having on me, mentally and emotionally.  

I stopped reaching out to my friends for fear of being seen as a complainer and not having a positive attitude. I went through a period of extreme depression, feeling like no one “got me.” But after graduating from university, I started getting better and began meeting others my age with T1D.  

Breakthrough T1D Canada: What drew you to participate in the Centre’s T1D Lived Experience Advisory Group? 

Ramya:  My undergraduate degree was in Health Sciences, and research has always held an interest for me, particularly as my mom is a cancer researcher. I’ve grown up hearing about her excitement, disappointments, and long days/nights that come along with being a researcher. I respect this work immensely, and to be able to work with researchers who are working so hard to find a cure for diabetes and bridge the gap for those living with T1D has always been very important to me. Similarly, I love the questions researchers ask me about living with T1D and helping them to understand why their hard work truly matters.  

Photo credit: Macy Yap

Breakthrough T1D Canada: How do you feel about the cure research happening at the Centre? 

Ramya:  Excited! Not just for me, but for the future generation! I truly believe a cure is in sight, and having had my first child recently (September 2025), the potential to eliminate T1D in the generations to come is such a wonderful thought.  

Breakthrough T1D Canada: What research excites you most? 

Ramya:  I find Dr. Megan Levings’ work on immune system regulation as it relates to T1D particularly interesting. I work at the Kidney Foundation of Canada and have seen her work in the transplant field come up as well. It’s exciting to see research in immunology having the potential to lead to additional breakthroughs in other health-related issues. 

Breakthrough T1D Canada: What are your hopes for the future of diabetes? 

Ramya:  My hope is that within the next generation, T1D markers can be identified in at-risk patients before disease onset or at early onset, and the correct therapies can indefinitely prevent it from fully taking place (by preserving remaining beta cell function, etc.).

“The real glory would be never having to carb-count, constantly be checking my blood levels and worrying about how every variable of life impacts my glucose numbers and therefore how I feel physically and emotionally throughout the day with this 24/7 invisible job. So much mental space would be freed up.”

Ramya with her husband, Mark, who also lives with T1D (diagnosed at age 10), and their newborn daughter. 

Breakthrough T1D Canada: What prompted you to launch Young and T1? 

Ramya: Upon diagnosis, I started volunteering for Breakthrough T1D (then JDRF), and when working with youth ambassadors, it was so amazing to hear kids meet other kids who shared the same diagnosis. They told stories of bullying at school when their pumps were seen as strange, compared pump colours with each other, and it was just so normal. 

I really wanted a community that “got” what living with T1D in adulthood felt like. T1D gets lonely. I hear this a lot. Young people at this transition stage often feel uncomfortable speaking with their doctor or parents about complex issues that arise for an adult with T1D. Thirteen years ago, I did not realize what an awesome resource Young and T1 would be—for myself and now over 700 individuals in BC—for learning and sharing with one another.  

Through meeting folks with similar daily struggles, and living with my husband Mark, who also has T1D, I have learned that all bodies are different. One size does not fit all in T1D management, and getting as much information available to us as possible is important. By conveying our struggles and successes with one another, we all benefit from shared knowledge. 

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Breakthrough T1D Canada is grateful to Ramya for sharing her story and helping our researchers accelerate breakthroughs. Knowledge sharing is critically important not just among the T1D community but also among the researchers who will one day bring cures to the community.  

Breakthrough T1D oversees T1D research worldwide to ensure that teams are collaborating and sharing learnings. The Breakthrough T1D Canucks For Kids Fund Centre of Excellence at UBC is a prime example of that collaboration in action, with over 40 multidisciplinary researchers working together to tackle all angles of cure research.  

The Centre is a key pillar of our $100M Campaign to Accelerate, a national campaign with a global impact. Read about research highlights from year 4 of the Centre’s three interconnected research themes advancing cures here. 

Philanthropic donors are advancing promising cure research in BC and around the world. To learn more about these exciting projects or to make a leadership gift, please contact: 

Kim Lacombe, Chief Development Officer