T1D Community Arts

Nathaniel Kinghan Bio

My name’s Nathaniel Kinghan, and I’ve been living with type 1 diabetes since I was 11 years old. After graduating from Sheridan College and the University of Toronto’s joint Theatre and Drama Studies program in 2016, I began a career working as an actor and arts administrator. I’ll be pursuing an Master of Social Work at U of T in the fall.

I am so proud and excited to be facilitating Free to Be, a program that builds a creative and communal space for youth living with T1D – a space I wish I’d had when I was younger! There’s a lot of power and confidence to be found in embracing the chaos that’s inseparable from T1D management. Creative expression can do wonders for self-esteem, self-awareness, and self-advocacy – each of which contribute to a healthy relationship to T1D.

I cannot wait to creatively explore life with T1D as the program designer and co-facilitator for Free to Be!

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Rav Samra Bio

Rav Samra was diagnosed with type one diabetes when she was two years old.

Rav grew up knowing no one with diabetes and this inspired her to meet others with type one and support them. In 2013, Rav received a scholarship from the Diabetes Hope Foundation. She received her BASc in Occupational Health and Safety and HR Management certificate from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Since 2013, Rav has mentored type ones through DHF’s mentorship program. She has spoken at many webinars and in-person events. She is part of the Scholarship Advisory Committee and continues to support the development and execution of DHF’s programs.

Rav is a passionate advocate within the diabetes community. She was interviewed by CBC reflecting on the cost of insulin in Canada and authored a paper with T1International published by Frontiers in Clinical Diabetes and Healthcare.

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Amal Bashir Bio

My name is Amal Bashir and I’ve been living with Type 1 Diabetes since I was 8 years old. I’ve been working in the tech industry since 2018 and I have been a visual artist for most of my life. I have a big personality and an even bigger heart!

I am super excited to work with Nathaniel as a co-facilitator for Free to Be. I love being around people and the best feeling in the world is helping someone create a piece they can be proud of. When I host paint classes I want you to have an amazing experience throughout the time we spend together.

Sometimes you can’t control the paint on the canvas which is parallel with controlling your blood-sugars in my world. I want to emphasize throughout your experience that there are certain things in life that are beyond our control and we can still find joy within the chaos.

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Arts Programming for Youth with T1D

Free to Be Program

Tired of people asking if you ate too much sugar as a kid? Or if you’re allowed to be eating that cookie? The Free to Be program will give you a platform to use art and drama to educate others about what life with T1D is really like. Are you ready to help challenge the misconceptions people have about type 1 diabetes (T1D) and share the impact diabetes stigma has on youth navigating the 24/7 realities of life with diabetes?

T1D Community Arts, Free to Be, Diabetes Stigma, T1D Stigma

Arts Workshops

Join facilitators and fellow T1Ds Rav and Nathaniel for a two-day workshop using visual arts to explore T1D stigma. Over the course of the weekend, participants will have the opportunity to create both individual and collaborative pieces focused on educating others about type 1 diabetes and the impact stigma has on youth with T1D.

Stay tuned for our next workshop dates.

*Contact [email protected] to ask about single-day registration options.

Drama Workshops

Create an original performance piece with fellow T1Ds in just 48 HOURS, telling the T1D story you wish everyone knew! Led by experienced performers and creators Nathaniel and Rav (who also live with T1D!), participants will learn the fundamentals of physical theatre, improv, and collective creation. This T1D story is yours to tell, and we’ll end the two-day workshop with a final performance staged for friends and family.

Date TBD – email [email protected] to be added to the waitlist.

November Community Showcase

All the pieces and performances created over the course of Free to Be will be on display for members of the diabetes community and beyond to be inspired by at our November Community Showcase. Details and date coming soon! Follow us on Instagram @diabeteshopefoundation for announcements.

Meet the Program Facilitators

Nathaniel Kinghan

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Ravjot Samra

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Drop-In Workshops

T1 Zine, T1Zine, T1D Community Arts, Free to Be

Join youth from across Canada to contribute to a collective work that uses thought provoking visual arts and creative writing to express and educate about life with T1D.

An online, monthly drop-in offering the opportunity to practice, sharpen, and improve your (spontaneous) writing skills in a community of like-minded individuals. No experience necessary!

Free Downloads

View T1Zine Stigma

T1Zine Stigma

View T1Zine Support

T1Zine Support

Free to Be Program, Diabetes Art Program, Diabetes Theatre Program, Diabetes Art

The World Goes Low Script
2024 Free to Be Spring Showcase

View the Script

“When there’s something about you that you can’t change and are forced to deal with, it’s nice to be able to just congregate with others like you to appreciate the specialness of the something.” ~ Free to Be Participant

Generously funded by:

Nathaniel Kinghan Bio

Rav Samra Bio

Amal Bashir Bio