I want to share my story in order to assist other young people impacted by cancer through their journey. Canteen has helped me be able to say with confidence and no shame that I am a cancer survivor. I would like the opportunity to give back to Canteen by helping promote and share our important message and goals.
This year I am in my third year of university studying a Bachelor of Primary Education and my second year of working part time as a teaching assistant. My career goal is to eventually work my way to full time employment in a special education school supporting young people with disabilities and extra learning needs. Due to cancer, there are some gaps in my education because teachers didn’t know how to support me which has led to my ambition of supporting students who may otherwise end up in a similar position
I was diagnosed at a really young age and lived in a small town where I was the only person in my situation. Growing up it was rather isolating because for a long time I didn’t know anyone I could relate to. When I was a bit older, I attended a Camp Quality camp and finally felt like I wasn’t alone. I graduated from Camp Quality and went back to feeling like no one around me could truly understand me. Canteen has given me so many amazing connections and friendships with people my age who understand and just get me! I want to share this with the world so young people out there feeling alone, like I did, know that they’re not!
Public speaking is something I have always been interested and engaged in. From the middle school fundraising boards to the high school student representative council, I was often the delegate public speaker and relations officer because it was something I really enjoyed and worked hard to develop the necessary skills.
