The “Pump Couture” fashion shows, organized by Diabetes Canada, are not about high heels, but about showcasing medical technology. These events, held in six Canadian cities this spring, feature children and adults with diabetes who use insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to manage their condition.
The shows provide participants with a chance to model while wearing the devices that help manage their Type 1 diabetes, a condition where the body cannot produce insulin, a hormone essential for regulating blood sugar. Without insulin, elevated blood sugar levels can lead to severe health complications.
This year’s events took place in Halifax, Vancouver, Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg, and Toronto. Participants wore two outfits—casual and formal—incorporating their medical devices into the designs. These devices, like insulin pumps and CGMs, are worn on the body, and children often adapt their clothing to accommodate them. For example, 10-year-old Chantelle Valley from Toronto uses a special bag to carry her insulin pump when it can’t be attached to her clothes.
Amannat Dhaliwal, 14, who participated in Vancouver, expressed how the show boosted her confidence, allowing her to proudly display her CGM. She often tries to hide her device in everyday life but was able to embrace it during the event. “Everyone already knows and is supportive,” she said.
For 11-year-old Silvie Mahoney from Halifax, the fashion show helped her feel less self-conscious about her devices. At school, she is often asked if she is a “robot,” but at the event, she felt empowered to show off her pump with pride.
The Pump Couture shows also serve as a fundraiser for D-Camp, a Diabetes Canada initiative providing support for children with Type 1 diabetes. The participants, who have all attended a D-Camp, say it’s a place where they can connect with others facing similar challenges. “It’s a very hard condition sometimes,” said 17-year-old Mathew Voss, who participated in Regina. “With D-Camps, you have that extra safety seatbelt of other people you can rely on so that you can have more fun.”
The fashion shows and D-Camp offer children living with diabetes an opportunity to build confidence, foster a sense of community, and raise awareness about the devices that help them manage their health.
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