CHANGING THE CONVERSATION for People Living With Diabetes
Hennessy was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes over eight years ago, a moment that changed her life in ways she did not yet understand. With strong support from her family and care team, she learned early on that diabetes would require constant attention, but it would not take away the things she loved. A competitive dancer and equestrian, Hennessy made the decision to keep going, returning to the saddle and the dance floor within a week of her diagnosis. Managing diabetes has been challenging, especially through childhood and adolescence, with blood sugars that often felt like a roller coaster and the emotional weight that comes with constant decision-making. Social situations, busy schedules, and increased stress have all required careful adjustments, particularly as she transitioned into university life.
Living with diabetes has shaped Hennessy into a resilient and driven leader. She has used her experience to advocate for other youth through public speaking, fundraising, and community initiatives supporting BC Children’s Hospital and Diabetes Canada. For her Grade 12 Capstone Project, she completed a 100 km walk over five days while monitoring her glucose levels, raising awareness about the realities of living with diabetes. Now a first-year engineering student pursuing Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Hennessy hopes to apply her lived experience to future innovation in health care. D-Camps played a meaningful role in her journey, giving her a place to feel understood, supported, and simply the same as everyone else. Hennessy believes diabetes is part of her story, but it does not define her, and she encourages others to draw strength from the resilience it builds.
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