UCalgary Nursing student uses first-hand experience with Type 1 diabetes in advocacy work

When Faculty of Nursing student Brooklyn Rhead was in her senior year in high school, she was admitted to hospital and her life changed forever. 

She was experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis — a condition that develops when the body lacks insulin — and she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) on Feb. 1, 2020.  

Rhead learned quickly that the condition is often misunderstood and felt a responsibility to change how people viewed the autoimmune disease.  

Community impact through social media and events 

First, Rhead started a T1D-dedicated Instagram account (@T1d.Peachy) in December 2020 as a platform for reaching people to advocate and inspire.  

Through sharing personal experiences, educational content and breaking down misconceptions, Rhead has used social media to amplify her voice and be part of a larger movement for awareness and change.  

She has gone on to work with initiatives like BreakthroughT1D (formerly JDRF), the Pump Couture Fashion Show and charities like Diabetes Canada.  

Describing T1D as “an invisible disease,” Rhead says goal is to bring increased visibility to the challenges and triumphs of those living with this condition.  

She adds events like these, as well as being recognized by name in the House of Commons in 2021, are among the most meaningful memories of her advocacy journey so far. 

“Through my advocacy, I hope to educate others, support those newly diagnosed and continue pushing for better resources, research and understanding of Type 1 diabetes,” says Rhead. 

Support from the Faculty of Nursing 

 Rhead will convocate from UCalgary Nursing in June.  

While she became interested in health care at a young age, her T1D diagnosis became a defining moment in her decision to choose nursing as a career. Suddenly, she wasn’t just observing the health-care system; she was living it.  

Rhead’s interactions with nurses while navigating the diagnosis further solidified her decision to become a nurse.  

She says the nursing faculty and UCalgary overall have been instrumental in shaping her advocacy work by providing her with an environment that encourages leadership, critical thinking and patient-centred care.  

“I have been able to share my perspective on Type 1 diabetes and chronic illness management, which increases awareness among future health-care providers,” Rhead says. “The program has reinforced that advocacy is an essential part of nursing.”  

The rewards and challenges of advocacy work 

Rhead says the main reward of advocacy is connecting with others who share similar experiences.  

Whether it is speaking with someone newly diagnosed, engaging in awareness campaigns, or participating and speaking at events like the BreakthroughT1D Walk, she finds an incredible sense of community within the diabetes world. 

One of the biggest challenges of advocacy work, Rhead says, especially for a chronic illness, is that progress can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. So, she has learned to set realistic expectations for herself and relies on her support system.  

“I remind myself that advocacy isn’t about doing everything at once; it’s about making a consistent impact over time,” says Rhead.   

Rhead believes that advocacy takes many forms: a simple conversation, sharing your story, educating those around you or volunteering for a cause.  

“Stay persistent, find a community that supports you and never underestimate the power of your voice,” she says. “Every conversation and action contribute to change.”  

To learn more about Rhead and her T1D journey, visit her Instagram account.