John Mitchell

And there's, I suppose, no two journeys are the same through illness.

I think that's important to consider as well.

So I think one of the strengths of our programme and why, again, why it can be so impactful is that it's all done around challenge by choice.

So when young people come and they participate in a Barrettstown programme, they get to decide themselves how much they participate in.

And I think that can be really impactful because it gives them ownership as well over their participation and the things that they really want to do when they're with us.

But what we learned very quickly when we started doing young adult programmes is that they want to have fun as well.

So it's important that it's not all about education and information sessions, that there has to be a fun element because...

That's what we all love to do is have fun with our peers.

And as Kayla said, reconnect with people that maybe you met years ago at camp or making new friends that will become your peer support network as you as you grow up.

Yeah, I think it is, yeah.

Like, again, it's... I suppose you revisit your childhood a little bit when you're there too, right?

And you have all of those happy memories, as you said, from your time at camp before.

I think, again, it gives you an opportunity to meet other people, people with different illnesses, different conditions.

Yeah, I think there's a...

There's something special about bringing people together, as I said, who've been on that similar journey and you learn so much from each other and you become a support for each other, too.

You know, as you mentioned, Kayla, with the friend that you made and being able to room together and like you'll keep in touch then long after your kind of trip to Barrettstown has ended.

So there is a long term impact of bringing people together in Barrettstown and the type of programs that we're offering.

But in the background, you're always taking control of your health and managing your own health and well-being.

And I think when you step into that 18 to 24 year old group as well, you start to take ownership more of your own health care plan as well, you know.