“You have to bring her to the hospital right now, or I’m going to call an ambulance,” the doctor said. He wasn’t speaking to me, but instead to my father. These were scary words for someone who was barely 10 years old to hear. I had never heard the word diabetes before. Suddenly, I was thrust into the world of Type 1 Diabetes, with finger pokes, needles, and strange vials of medicine. I insisted on holding my pet cat whenever I needed a bolus. I cried for a week, certain that my future was doomed. When I arrived at the endocrinology unit, the staff was kind and empathetic.They joked with me, and helped me take my mind off of the fact that my blood sugar was well over 500 mg/dL. In the following weeks, my mother, who was a physical therapist at the time, was one of the few people that could offer me words of wisdom. She helped me learn more about Type 1 Diabetes, and understand that it wasn’t a death sentence; instead, it was an extra challenge. She helped me understand that sometimes, diabetics face unique medical challenges that require special help. It was around this point that I decided I would dedicate my future work to helping other people with diabetes. As I grew older and wiser, I felt my passion for physical therapy emerge. With physical therapy, not only could I help others with their physical ailments in a holistic way, but I could specifically tailor my work towards those like me: Type 1 Diabetics. This scholarship would help me continue my education and reach my goal of becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy. After becoming a physical therapist, I would use my knowledge and skills to help those with Type 1 Diabetes. There is a broad range of ways that physical therapy can help those with diabetes, and the possibilities excite me! More specifically, I could use physical therapy to maintain strength, mobility, and function in those with neuropathy due to the possible complications of Type 1 Diabetes. I could prescribe the tools available to physical therapists, such as compression socks, to help with pain management due to neuropathy. In addition, I could prescribe exercise plans to Type 1 Diabetics, which can in turn help to control blood glucose levels and avoid long-term complications. Exercise can be extra beneficial to those with diabetes, because it can increase insulin sensitivity and decrease A1c levels. I also intend to treat everyone I see with respect and empathy. In my experience, oftentimes healthcare professionals will focus solely on my diabetes, even if that is not the root of my issues. I will listen to my patients with Type 1 Diabetes, and make sure they know that they are heard. I will empathize with their experiences, both in life and in relation to Type 1 Diabetes, and I will work to give them the best, healthiest life I can. I am excited to merge my passion of helping others with my personal experiences being a Type 1 Diabetic.