Healthy and athletic, Kaitlyn Cameron knew something was wrong.
She had dropped about 25 pounds in less than a month and no one knew why.
Cameron was a Grade 12 student at Walnut Grove Secondary and also an outstanding softball player.
Prior to getting sick, she had verbally committed to accept a scholarship offer to join the Simon Fraser softball team.
With no explanation for why she was losing so much weight, and so quickly, Cameron went to the doctor, who diagnosed her with type 1 diabetes.
With type 1 diabetes, the body lacks insulin and leads to increased blood and urine glucose. Untreated, it can prove fatal.
Now 20, she completed her sophomore year for the SFU Clan this past season. The 2011 Walnut Grove graduate is studying psychology at university.
“It was definitely challenging,” said Cameron.
“I ended up losing a lot of weight so I had to gain back some of the muscle and some of my weight.”
She credits softball — as well as the support of her family and friends — as big reasons she was able to regain her health.
“I knew I had to get back on track quickly if I wanted to actually play my freshman year,” Cameron said.
Cameron worked hard at regaining her strength and adjusting to life as a diabetic.
In addition to eating a healthy diet and getting proper exercise, Cameron takes two or three insulin shots per day. She also periodically has to test her blood sugar levels to make sure everything is OK.
If her levels are too high, it can lead to increased fatigue and cause long-term damage to organs. If the levels are too low, it can lead to seizures or episodes of unconsciousness, and require emergency treatment.
So far, she does not require an insulin pump, which distributes the insulin through a catheter placed under the skin.
But she persevered, and after playing as a back-up her first year with SFU, Cameron blossomed in her sophomore season.
She also carries a healthy attitude.
“I realized there were a lot worse things that could have happened when I got sick,” she said.
“This kid has overcome adversity,” said SFU coach Mike Renney.
“(But) she hasn’t let that be an impediment to her development.
“Kaitlyn epitomizes the adage of hard work leads to success and this kid is certainly a hard worker.”
Renney said it is an adjustment period for any player as they transition from a part-time role to that of a full-time starter.
“It is tough being thrown into the fire and she had some adjustment challenges (but) by the end of the year, she was full credit for all of the successes she had,” he said.
The team’s starting catcher, she led the team with a .342 batting average, a .507 slugging percentage and 31 RBIs and was tied for second with five home runs. And in the field, she had a .982 fielding percentage. 
Cameron’s play has also caught the eye of Team BC and she survived the tryout process with the squad last month.
She will suit up this week for the 2013 Scotiabank Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship, which is held at Surrey’s Softball City.
Cameron is playing on Team BC in the women’s elite division, where they are up in a division with the White Rock Renegades, the Northwest Lady Sharks and the Quebec Rebelles.
She has played at the tournament a few times before, at the club level, with the Surrey Storm.
And it is quite the experience.
“It is always exciting when they’re lots of people around to watch,” Cameron said.
“Growing up, there are usually not many people at your games, so when there is a bit of a crowd, it makes the game more interesting and a little more intense.”
