When I was in elementary school, I missed quite a bit of school. I was in kindergarten when my regular doctors could not figure out why I was always sick. After six months of sickness and doctor visits, I was given the opportunity to be seen at UNC Children's Hospital. Upon seeing me at first glance, my new IBD doctor knew something was very wrong. In June 2011, I was diagnosed with moderate to severe Crohn's Disease. This would be the start of separate weekly stays at UNC Children's Hospital. I have been lucky enough to be in remission since 2nd-grade thanks to my medications that have been working for me. This illness has impacted my life by having to make sure I am following my doctor’s guidance and taking medications regularly. I feel like my medications are my safety net, which is scary, but know my life would be very different without them. As I have gotten older I have learned how to manage my life while living with this disease, but I am also very aware that at any given time my body may enter into a flare. In 3rd-grade I was inspired by a project assigned by my teacher, Ms. Stang. It was called the 'I Have a Dream' project. It was and is my dream that a cure for Crohn's disease can be found. That summer following 3rd-grade, I started a foundation called Ashley's Angle to raise money for Crohn’s disease research. I made sure the money raised by donations was used to further my doctor's research at the University of North Carolina. As I enter young adulthood, I often worry about others who may not have health insurance to pay for the medications they may need. I know without health insurance, I would not be able to afford the medications I need to take regularly. I have turned my struggle into strength in a few ways. First, I have never let my condition determine what I am capable of. I was a competitive gymnast for many years. I've been a varsity cheerleader for the last three years cheering on the sideline for both football and basketball, as well as competing in competitions. I am a member of the student government and a spirit committee chair. I rarely miss a day of school and have maintained a 4.0-grade point average all four years of high school. I have also used my experience and knowledge of living with Crohn's disease to help others process their own diagnosis. As I stated before, I know my medications are my safety net. They have afforded me the ability to live a normal childhood and teenage life. Most people look at me and have no idea that I have an autoimmune disease. I know I have been and am very blessed!