A Different Kind of Journey
The last time I travelled to meet my fellowship cohort, I rode in on my motorcycle. That was back in May, and I was healthy then—able to walk on my own and barely acquainted with this group of dedicated individuals.
I was in awe of how much talent the other Fellows brought to the table. Their education, experience, and perspectives as patients, professionals, and cultural representatives were incredible. While I know my own background is valid, it sometimes feels mundane in comparison.
Flying into Halifax for the Diabetes Canada Conference this time was different. I wasn’t as healthy, and I needed help to make the trip. It was humbling but also heartening to see how this team supported each other. Meeting my DAC partner’s fiancée, someone I had only met over Zoom, added a personal and meaningful connection to the experience.
Building Connections and Sharing Ideas
The conference brought our cohort’s online bond into the real world. Many of us faced arduous travel delays, but eventually, we all made it to Halifax. Sitting down over meals, discussion tables, and coffee (always coffee) brought out our best conversations. My loquacious nature took over—it often does when I’m surrounded by great minds.
The Diabetes Canada Conference itself was vibrant, a testament to the talent, imagination, and dedication of this community. The health, advocacy, and diabetes communities are drenched with passion for improving lives. Talks like those on islet research reminded me how much work goes into pushing science forward.
Three moments from the conference stood out to me:
- An unintentional “brain date” with Michael, Ciara, and Grace taught me that while my patient perspective is unique, it’s not ubiquitous. We need to engage more people, especially those who don’t typically participate.
- Katherine Mackett’s presentation on the P2P peer support programme was inspiring. This structured mentorship model is transferable to many other chronic conditions. I would love to champion this idea further.
- A chance meeting with Kelly and Rebecca from the Métis Nation highlighted the importance of cultural connection in healthcare. Their passion for making positive change left a lasting impression, and I’m determined to help strengthen ties between them and DAC.
Reflections and Gratitude
Reflecting on the experience, I see how much effort everyone put into making this fellowship successful. From Linxi to Tracy, Julie, Ryan, Matt, Cindy, and so many others, it was a privilege to work alongside such talented individuals.
Flying home was bittersweet. While I was happy to return to my family, leaving this incredible group behind wasn’t easy. Even now, as I wrap up work and chat with Matt about final touches for our projects, I can’t help but feel proud of everything we’ve accomplished together.
À bientôt,
Al
About the Author:
Al Martin is a heavy-haul trucker, husband, and father of two teenagers who also happens to be a passionate patient advocate. As a Patient Partner with Diabetes Action Canada (DAC) and Obesity Canada, Al champions mental health inclusion in healthcare. Al and his wife both live with type 2 diabetes and obesity, bringing both lived and loved experiences to their advocacy work. When he’s not driving trucks or riding motorcycles, Al enjoys writing and studying physics.
About the Fellowship:
The Diabetes Action Canada (DAC) Research to Action Fellowship is a pioneering programme that equips individuals with lived or loved experience of diabetes to bridge the gap between research and real-world application. Fellows collaborate with researchers, patient partners, and community members to co-create culturally relevant tools and solutions that improve diabetes awareness and care. This initiative reflects DAC’s commitment to amplifying patient voices and fostering equity in diabetes research and practice.
