I have been living with Type 1 Diabetes for 18 years and Celiac Disease for 16 years. Both of these autoimmune diseases are highly misunderstood. Growing up you hear the misconceptions of “oh, you ate too much sugar?” or “Are you eating gluten free because of the trend?” These comments created a difficult road for me during middle school, high school, and sometimes even now. People’s comments can have a long lasting effect. Based on your illnesses you don’t want to be perceived differently or people take your illnesses the wrong way. I hate when someone makes a comment about me eating gluten free and thinking it is solely to be healthy or because it is “trendy.” That is all I have known since the age of six. If I eat gluten it makes me incredibly sick, so no I don’t just do it to be cool. In terms of having T1D, at times growing up it could be difficult to understand why I had to have devices stuck on my arms and others didn’t. Except today I am learning that it has made me powerful, strong, and resilient. I have continued to persevere despite the challenges that everyday autoimmune diseases bring. Vince Lombardi once said, “The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.” This quote resonates with me most because I always give my best at whatever I do. I believe that it is my main reason for my success. It isn’t because I am extremely talented or smart, I just work hard. Business and Business Administration is the concentration I intend on studying. I love the challenge of creating opportunities and putting in the effort of solving problems. There are many opportunities in business and it is a career that has so much impact on our everyday life. I intend on succeeding because I take the initiative myself. I am diligent, hardworking, and when presented with a challenge I rise to the occasion. When I was in high school I began my own charity for those affected by Hurricane Harvey. I was able to send an immense amount of supplies for relief with the help of my community coming together. While studying at Bridgewater State University I have maintained high academic achievement during every semester while working a part-time job. Furthermore, I want to contribute back my knowledge as a leader and volunteer or start small activities for those with Type One Diabetes especially when it comes to mental health. I want to help and serve those newly diagnosed and encourage those that they are not alone. Working with JDRF to volunteer and offer my personal support and participate in family outreach. I have started a blog style Instagram page, creating a community around T1D encouraging self-care practices and that it is okay to take a break. It is not that easy to do the full time job of an organ! I know that, given this incredible opportunity, I will grow personally and academically. I am ready for a challenge. With goals of attending Northeastern in Boston to get my masters degree. I am committed to working hard in school and looking for more opportunities that could help me make my dreams into reality. Hey, I am still kicking, even when juice boxes have saved my life on multiple occasions. I continue to transform my struggle into my strength.

When I reflect on how I have grown over the past year I think about evolving into who I am becoming and switching my mindset from “I can’t do this” to “I am still learning. Let’s keep trying.” A lot has happened in my past year, I have one less family member, other loved ones in and out of doctors visits, a personal slump, and fear of the future. In the midst of all this chaos, it has allowed me more time to self-reflect. During a personal slump, I felt like giving up. I had absolutely no motivation or inspiration to continue. I went through life in robotic movements letting the days and months pass. Except one day I decided I want to take life into my own hands. My biggest mistake; expecting others to make me happy, which ends up leading me and any other person: disappointed. This brings me to today. I am focused on my own happiness, my own life, and my own vision. I took the bull by the horns and am investing time and happiness into what I want to do in my future, rather than just being told what to do. For a while, I was just skimming the surface of my identity. Having a fear of failure. I allowed myself to take a look at my own thoughts, feelings, emotions, and motivations. I have learned through my self-discovery journey that if you enjoy it, believe in it. Something that has changed dramatically is the idea of continuing graduate school. A year ago I didn’t do any research, and didn’t have any focus on myself. Today I allowed myself to find a school that provides challenges, opportunities, and excitement for me. If we are happy we look toward the future with determination, ambition, and goals. One topic that remained the same for me throughout this year is advocacy for mental health. Mental health is such a substantially important issue that continues to affect people everyday. It affected me. Combatting the butt end of the pandemic, and wondering what now? Alongside, living with Type 1 Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes can completely put your mind through a mental rollercoaster. I created an online space to advocate the struggles and attest to those newly diagnosed that they are not alone. Alongside this, I learned I want to contribute back my knowledge as a leader and volunteer or start small activities for those with Type One Diabetes. I want to work with JDRF to volunteer and offer my personal support and participate in family outreach. At this point, I am gaining the esteem I need to truly be happy. Self-confidence cannot be taught. It is up to us to decide how much belief we possess inside. I need to first believe in myself before others will believe in me. We don’t know what we don’t know. All we can do is learn from our experiences and not let it affect us the way it did originally. I truly believe that confidence is not walking into a room thinking you are better than anyone, it is walking in knowing that you don’t have to compare yourself to anyone. I am unlocking that authentic power today. Knowing how I am smart, not how smart I am in comparison to others. Knowing what I care about and what values that motivate my choices. Given this incredible opportunity, I will grow personally and academically. I am committed to working hard in school and looking for more opportunities that could help me make my dreams into reality.