August 22, 2014. That day changed my life, in both good and bad ways. In the weeks leading up to that day, I had been drinking excessive water, urinating constantly, losing weight, and wetting the bed at almost six years old. My mother, working in Pharmaceuticals, put the pieces together. That day, my doctor confirmed her suspicion: I had Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). That diagnosis of an incurable, autoimmune disease marked a life-changing transition, one of perseverance, motivation, and resilience. After my parents and I spent the weekend in the hospital, where they were trained on how to keep me healthy, life was completely different. Every meal meant an injection, every snack was planned, and every carbohydrate meticulously counted. I was initially oblivious to the implications of the diagnosis, more annoyed than affected by it. However, as weeks became months and years, I began to understand the new life I was living. By 11, it was time to self-manage. Thankfully, I had gotten an insulin pump by then, but I will never forget my first “pump-change”, sitting on the couch, reading instructions, and figuring out each step. Three years after my “diabetic autonomy,” I entered the next major phase of my life: high school. High school brought AP Classes, community service, many extracurriculars, and speech competitions, all while balancing T1D. Life became stressful, as every “Cartridge Empty Alarm,” “Occlusion Alarm,” and low blood sugar carried its own responsibility. I constantly worried about my pump blaring or my blood sugar “going low,” leaving me fatigued and unfocused. Over time, though, I learned to manage that fear, building resilience and accepting my uniqueness, even when it felt like a constant challenge. I came to understand that for every bad blood sugar or late-night pump change, there would always be another day that went smoothly. As I managed my own condition, I began to notice how it affected those around me. From my parents waking up at 3 a.m. to check my blood sugar to arranging a proctor for the SAT, I realized this disease did not just involve me. That awareness helped me see others’ struggles differently. I understood my friend’s heart arrhythmias and a fellow diabetic’s daily routine, and I empathized with their pain and determination, the same willpower I needed to face constant uncertainty about my own health. In 10th grade, I began volunteering at my local Veterans’ Home, where I met people facing challenges like MS, dementia, and paralysis. Though I could not share their experiences in war and service, I recognized their resilience and drive to persevere through hardship. Today, I no longer view my diabetes as a hardship per se, but as a companion, like the person in the passenger seat if I am driving. Though I still have rough days, especially as school has gotten much more involved, stressful, and rigorous, I continue to believe that I can overcome every challenge T1D throws at me. Though it brings weakness and fatigue, it has built my spirit to a level I would never reach otherwise. It has taught me that perseverance is not about a perfect blood sugar 24/7 or the exact insulin bolus, but celebrating the little victories, one day after another. As I continue my education, I carry that mindset as proof that challenge builds strength and that hardship can inspire empathy and purpose.