Every time I visit Children’s HealthCare of Atlanta to donate my original paintings, the diabetes educators rave about the joyful and sincere reactions of the newly diagnosed type one diabetic children who have received one of my “BRAVE” canvases. In my free time, I create unique paintings ranging from beach scenes to stars to chevron or checkered patterns. I am definitely not an artist, but I know my work makes a huge impact on people in the hospital, so I have continued to practice and create new canvases. I attempt to design each canvas differently, but one aspect remains the same: the word brave. Every single painting has “brave” featured somehow, whether in big bold letters, cursive, or incorporated in the design. The word brave has significant meaning in my life because of all of the family members, doctors, and friends who have encouraged me and reminded me that I am brave over the ten years I have lived with diabetes. I want to pass along that message to others because of the impact it made on me. I make these canvases as a reminder to be brave no matter how difficult life seems. A simple reminder to be brave may be exactly what someone needs to move past a frustrating day. I know it helps me. Type one diabetes has been constantly on my mind for almost ten years now. Whether I eat a snack, take a test, play a tennis match, or sleep over at a friend’s house, diabetes plays a role. Something as simple as eating a slice of pizza turns into a big deal. How many carbs are in the slice, and if I can’t find the nutrition facts, how much should I estimate? Then, how much insulin should I give based on the carbs and my current blood sugar? And, how long should I wait to take another dose so my blood sugar does not rise from the fat later? Or, should I cut back on the dose because I have an important project later or a practice where I can’t go low? I still have as many questions as I did the day I was diagnosed, but they have evolved over time. While I may never meet everyone that has received one of my canvases, it is comforting and encouraging to know that there is a community out there that asks the same questions I do and understands each other. There are people just like me who have the same constant questions and need a reminder to be brave, so I push myself to make time to paint more canvases for those scared little kids who have no idea what their life will look like after their new diagnosis. As a terrified little seven year old girl at the time of my diagnosis, I was able to talk to a kind teenage girl with diabetes who made me feel less alone. So I made it my mission to be that kind and brave person for as many people as I could. Brave canvases are my path to continue to make a positive impact and difference in the world. It is my own way of helping others and hopefully serves as a reminder that everything is and will be ok. I plan to continue to meet with diabetics and build a stronger community and make a positive impact on the world.

Every time I visit Children’s HealthCare of Atlanta to donate my original paintings, the diabetes educators rave about the joyful and sincere reactions of the newly diagnosed type one diabetic children who have received one of my “BRAVE” canvases. In my free time, I create unique paintings ranging from beach scenes to stars to chevron or checkered patterns. I am definitely not an artist, but I know my work makes an impact on people in the hospital, so I have continued to practice and create new canvases. I attempt to design each canvas differently, but one aspect remains the same: the word brave. Every single painting has “brave” featured somehow, whether in big bold letters, cursive, or incorporated in the design. The word brave has significant meaning in my life because of all of the family members, doctors, and friends who have encouraged me and reminded me that I am brave over the ten years I have lived with diabetes. I want to pass along that message to others because of the impact it made on me. I make these canvases as a reminder to be brave no matter how difficult life seems. A simple reminder to be brave may be exactly what someone needs to move past a frustrating day. I know it helps me. Type one diabetes has been constantly on my mind for almost ten years now. Whether I eat a snack, take a test, play a tennis match, or sleep over at a friend’s house, diabetes plays a role. Something as simple as eating a slice of pizza turns into a big deal. How many carbs are in the slice, and if I can’t find the nutrition facts, how much should I estimate? Then, how much insulin should I give based on the carbs and my current blood sugar? And, how long should I wait to take another dose so my blood sugar does not rise from the fat later? Or, should I cut back on the dose because I have an important project later or a practice where I can’t go low? I still have as many questions as I did the day I was diagnosed, but they have evolved over time. While I may never meet everyone that has received one of my canvases, it is comforting and encouraging to know that there is a community out there that asks the same questions I do and understands each other. There are people just like me who have the same constant questions and need a reminder to be brave, so I push myself to make time to paint more canvases for those scared little kids who have no idea what their life will look like after their new diagnosis. As a terrified little seven year old girl at the time of my diagnosis, I was able to talk to a kind teenage girl with diabetes who made me feel less alone. So I made it my mission to be that kind and brave person for as many people as I could. In my opinion, the word fierce stems off of the word brave, which I have embraced throughout my life with diabetes. While still being kind and welcoming with everyone I meet, I believe that I also have to be fierce with diabetes. I am determined to not let diabetes hinder any activities I take on, so I am pushed to be fierce, both physically and emotionally. The characteristics of being fierce and kind have definitely gone hand in hand with my diabetes journey and will continue to inspire me in the future.

Every time I visit Children’s HealthCare of Atlanta to donate my original paintings, the diabetes educators rave about the joyful and sincere reactions of the newly diagnosed type one diabetic children who have received one of my “BRAVE” canvases. In my free time, I create unique paintings ranging from beach scenes to stars to chevron or checkered patterns. I am definitely not an artist, but I know my work makes an impact on people in the hospital, so I have continued to practice and create new canvases. I attempt to design each canvas differently, but one aspect remains the same: the word brave. Every single painting has “brave” featured somehow, whether in big bold letters, cursive, or incorporated in the design. The word brave has significant meaning in my life because of all of the family members, doctors, and friends who have encouraged me and reminded me that I am brave over the ten years I have lived with diabetes. I want to pass along that message to others because of the impact it made on me. I make these canvases as a reminder to be brave no matter how difficult life seems. A simple reminder to be brave may be exactly what someone needs to move past a frustrating day. I know it helps me. Type one diabetes has been constantly on my mind for almost ten years now. My blood sugar changes by the minute, so I never get a break. Whether I eat a snack, take a test, play a tennis match, or sleep over at a friend’s house, diabetes plays a role. Something as simple as eating a slice of pizza turns into a big deal. How many carbs are in the slice, and if I can’t find the nutrition facts, how much should I estimate? Then, how much insulin should I give based on the carbs and my current blood sugar? And, how long should I wait to take another dose so my blood sugar does not rise from the fat later? Or, should I cut back on the dose because I have an important project later or a practice where I can’t go low? I still have as many questions as I did the day I was diagnosed, but they have evolved over time. While I may never meet everyone that has received one of my canvases, it is comforting and encouraging to know that there is a community out there that asks the same questions I do and understands each other. There are people just like me who have the same constant questions and need a reminder to be brave, so I push myself to make time to paint more canvases for those scared little kids who have no idea what their life will look like after their new diagnosis. As a terrified little seven year old girl at the time of my diagnosis, I was able to talk to a teenage girl with diabetes who made me feel less alone. So I made it my mission to be that person for as many people as I could. I know that all the people I have met throughout my life with diabetes have shaped who I am today. These people and experiences will impact my future as I continue to make brave canvases and meet new people because I believe that everyone you meet has an impact on your life. Even with all the ups and downs of daily diabetes life, I am constantly reminded by my diabetes community that everything will be ok as long as I am brave!