When I was two years old, my parents discovered I had a drinking problem. I was ingesting an incessant amount of fluids, vomiting, and having a hard time staying awake. Shortly thereafter, I was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes. I have participated in many charitable acts to support others like me, but I know I can do more. My focus is on problem solving. For example, I came up with a solution to encourage kids not to repeatedly give shots in the same place which causes scar tissue, thus inhibiting insulin absorption. This idea was a disposable needle that had an ink-stamper to mark where a shot was just given. This creation led to local news coverage and a patent application. After that experience, I knew my future will involve helping others with Type One Diabetes. I worked hard to gain acceptance to one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. I plan to double major in biology and physics pursue a doctorate in biomedical engineering. This will allow me to work towards my greatest goal in life which is developing a cure or life-changing technology for individuals with Type One Diabetes.

When I was two years old, my parents discovered I had a drinking problem. I was ingesting an incessant amount of fluids, vomiting, and having a hard time staying awake. Shortly thereafter, I was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes. My mom and dad discussed things I would never do: childhood sleepovers, remote wilderness adventures, become an airline pilot, join the military, etc. I was too young for those conversations, but I remember constant blood sugar checks via finger pricks, 11 shots of insulin per day, being taken by ambulance due to a diabetic seizure, and having to decide whether eating a snack was worth another shot. Fast forward several years and I already had significant public exposure. I was the highlight at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation gala. I brought my piggy bank to the stage and told the crowd I would donate my $100 if everyone else would match it. I participated in a film about diabetes, where my mom gave me a shot of insulin and I said through tears, “I don’t want to have diabetes anymore”. I have been a walk captain raising money for research. I spoke in radio commercials asking for support of Camp Needlepoint, a diabetic camp for kids. I came up with a solution to encourage kids not to repeatedly give shots in the same place which causes scar tissue, thus inhibiting insulin absorption. This idea was a disposable needle that had an ink-stamper to mark where a shot was given. This creation led to local news coverage and a patent application. Despite what looked like success, in reality I was struggling. I received low scores on tests because anxiety made my blood sugar skyrocket. I spent extra hours on homework because my sugar levels made it difficult to concentrate. Kids teased me in the locker room because I tested my blood and had devices attached to my body. I skipped sleepovers for fear of teenage bedwetting due to a blood sugar spike or a diabetic seizure due to a blood sugar plummet. At school, I refused to stop and eat sugar, give insulin, or tell an adult my needs for fear of being seen as different. Then the Covid pandemic hit. With extra time on my hands, I began volunteering by handing out food to individuals in need. I even started my own branch of food outreach by collecting and delivering food to families who were unable to leave their homes. Through volunteering, I realized the world is full of bigger problems than my having a disability. I got some perspective and decided my mission in life is to be part of a broader solution that will impact the world. I began to pay better attention to my blood sugar, stopped fearing being different, and started putting my health first. No amount of parental nagging could have led me to this conclusion; it was something I had to come to on my own. Today I work hard to manage my diabetes. Keeping my blood sugar in range takes constant management of sugar levels, insulin, diet, and exercise. However, in doing so, the few remaining limitations I have are merely a fraction of everything I can and will do. Growing up with diabetes was not easy, but I am more courageous, inquisitive, and resilient because of it. I will utilize my skillset and embrace how awesome it is I can live with this disability and still take on the world. I plan to major in biology and after graduate school spend my life working towards my greatest dream; developing a cure for diabetes.