“You need to quit acting like you’re special, it’s embarrassing.” A phrase I was constantly told to remember by my boyfriend in January of 2022. This hurtful phrase, along with many others, referred to me talking about anything related to my Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), which deeply affected my confidence and relationship with Diabetes. Our later separation created an awareness of my newly developed lack of self-care/love, and very-damaged mental state in accordance with my autoimmune disease. Being the first boyfriend I had, I was under the impression that because this man tolerated me and told me ways I could change, it meant I was loved and improving; when in reality, I was being mentally and emotionally abused. Coming to this realization made me sick, yet still not sure how to overcome the animosity I had been exposed to, and somehow learned to agree with. Consequently, I consulted with my trusted family and friends on how to overcome such attitudes toward my Diabetes and self, and received profound comfort and advice. ‘Embrace what makes you different, find people who are similar, and be patient with teaching those truly willing to learn about you’. I was confused, “you don’t get it”, I thought, “nobody cares.’ I had adapted this secretive and ashamed view of my chronic illness, even though I had maintained a very positive approach towards living as a diabetic prior to my first romantic relationship. I even became disappointed with myself because this perspective was the exact opposite view I wanted my younger diabetic sister to hold; I wanted her to be proud to be a diabetic but mirrored a contradictory approach. I had shoved the urge to interact with other diabetics deep down because I assumed they too were under the impression that bringing attention to it was doltish. However, as time went on, the desire I had to connect with others through diabetes began to resurface. I slowly took my loved ones’ advice seriously, and it changed my life completely. I began to wear short sleeves, so my Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) was visible. Instead of walking by other diabetics, I started saying “I like your Dexcom!” or “I like your T-Slim!,” depending on the CGM or insulin pump they had. I began to play games with other diabetics I was familiar with like ‘guess that blood glucose!’. I practiced making conversation comfortable and got excited when people asked about my chronic condition. Lastly, I began to freely discuss how diabetes continuously impacts my life, and my overwhelming gratitude toward it, especially because of how being involved in the diabetic community has changed me for the better. Don’t get me wrong, T1D is very hard to manage sometimes, and I'm not immune to the negative effects of living with it. However, I have learned to overcome harmful and insensitive words that target me and other diabetics. Similarly, I am happily involved in organizations that bring awareness and spark conversations about T1D. This has allowed me to increase the connections I make with others, feel like a valued member of the diabetic community, and appreciate all my family, friends, and strangers who support/show interest in people like me. This self-discovery in my ability to showcase, teach, and connect with others has restored balance to a damaged place in me. I am more capable now of immersing myself in self-love, practicing self-confidence, and encouraging others to do the same. Most importantly, I've decided to stop hiding who I am, because frankly, who I am IS special- and hiding who I am is a real pain in the ‘creas.

“I met a blind man, said, ‘The world is just so beautiful’” ...The second line of Skyfall by Bravo. “I met a girl, in her final hours- told me time is not worth saving; open your heart, don’t get impatient.” As demonstrated, contrast and emotion work together in Skyfall by provoking individual cognizance of one’s life and attitude. Every line contains a piece of advice or an ode to our strength and potential as humans. It’s not just a song about love, a breakup song, or just a song about loss or friendship; somehow, it’s an anthem that encapsulates every experience listed and more. It shares a message so profound, it can apply to any situation because of its versatile and optimistic lyricism, rooted in real people’s stories. Bravo uses these narratives to highlight how we as humans naturally ‘count on tomorrow like it's ours’, though there is no true guarantee of the future. He transcends this frame of mind to ask, “if the stars all lose their light tonight what’s left of mine?” He guides the focus of the future from a doomsday scenario to an awareness of one’s ‘light’. This suggests people’s ability to reinvent their existing perspectives and behaviors to create a more positive approach toward each potential tomorrow. Bravo’s lyrics encourage those who listen to Skyfall to utilize the ‘now’ by embracing, building, and sharing light with others as well as receiving it. In this song of hope and elation, poignancy loses its relevance as listeners ponder the reality of life; how nothing is guaranteed, yet everything is possible. This song looks outwards and feels within. According to Skyfall, happiness isn’t given, it’s chosen, and it’s achievable. Skyfall is an inspiration, a vessel for change and peace, a beacon of light, and to me, a masterpiece.

Krystal (She, Her), an openly transgender female nurse, is to-this-day my favorite nurse. As my first pediatric nurse to share T1D with me, sporting the same insulin pump, and in her toolbelt carrying the same general medical experiences I had, Krystal made me feel special- ironically because we had so much in common. The way she talked about managing blood sugars and decreasing my A1C was in the most supportive and forgiving manner I’d ever received. Consequently, at the first endocrinologist appointment wherein I met Krystal, I learned the importance of connection through similarity, and the appreciation I felt for the effort people like Krystal gave in acknowledging differences as well. Nurses require certain strengths and skills that allow them to connect quickly with patients to build trust and confidence between both sides’ abilities. Specifically, I want to pursue a career in being a pediatric nurse, because I want to be like the nurses I've known to be empathetic, diligent, optimistic, and have always wanted the best for everyone, but especially for children and young adults. In addition to the aforementioned, I plan to be a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) to fulfill the duty I feel I have to help young diagnoses (especially T1D diagnoses), on their way to effective autoimmune disorder management. It’s easy for those who develop autoimmune conditions to blame themselves in some sense. However, as autoimmune conditions are unpreventable, this mindset of putting oneself at fault is potentially very damaging. I plan to work to avoid such thoughts and feelings, by educating my future autoimmune diagnosed patients with the remark that lifestyle factors don’t determine the likelihood of developing such diseases, in order to build a level of confidence, assurance, and relief. To continue, I know how scary hospitals can be; hence I want to be inviting as a healthcare professional. I know how challenging living with medical conditions can be; hence I want to explore and share my findings of ways of managing them. I know how difficult it is to keep a happy attitude; so I want to be the person someone (like a future patient) feels comfortable opening up to. In the future, I plan to present myself in a way that lets my patients know I genuinely care for them and will work to be there whenever needed. By this I mean I hope to help children and young adults affected by autoimmune conditions to learn how continuously thrive in life by pursuing appropriate opportunities, whilst managing their health effectively. Similarly, I hope to establish effective communication that encourages strong connections with my patients, and coworkers/employers because it has helped me in the past in developing meaningful relationships with friends and family as well as neighbors and other acquaintances. Although I recognize how broad my goals and ambitions are, I have established strong ties to the pediatric nurse and CDCES I hope to be. As I aspire to be a pediatric nurse and CDCES I am ready to work through the challenges I and others face to teach me and help me learn. I hope, like Krystal, I am better able to connect with others as I put in the effort to put myself in others’ shoes. As years go on, I hope each day I'm better at achieving my goal of helping others to help themselves.