For the past 16 years, I’ve lived with type 1 diabetes, a chronic condition that has never left my side and has quietly shaped every decision, routine, and every dream I’ve carried. Whether it was through syringes, insulin pens, continuous glucose monitors, or through insulin pumps, managing this illness from such a young age meant growing up faster than most. While other children worried about homework or soccer practice, I was learning how to count carbs, adjust insulin doses, and ensure my blood sugar didn’t drop dangerously low in the middle of the night. For me, diabetes isn’t just a medical condition; it has influenced my future career path by intertwining my personal life with healthcare and medical technology. It has taught me discipline, strength, and that ambition is needed to excel in every endeavor that comes my way. At the same time, I was being raised in a single-parent household by a parent who worked tirelessly to ensure I had the care and support I needed, often sacrificing her own well-being for my health. The challenges we faced weren’t just related to diabetes—they were emotional, financial, and deeply personal. For years, we navigated my condition without health insurance -- rationing insulin and supplies daily with the emotional toll of uncertainty hovering over us. My mother had to put so much trust in school nurses, caregivers, and other adults to take care of a life-threatening condition while she was at work or studying. As I reached the end of my adolescent years, another reality set in; the education needed to pursue my dream career in medicine. My experiences have guided me to want to be a doctor who understands more than just the human body, but also the lived experience of a person with a given medical condition. As a public health major on the pre-med track, I am learning to connect the dots between medical knowledge and the broader systems that shape healthcare. I believe my journey -- growing up with type 1 diabetes, overcoming the financial and emotional hurdles of a single-parent household, and still choosing to fight for a future in healthcare -- gives me a unique perspective. It fuels my commitment to addressing disparities in chronic illness care and ensuring that no patient feels overlooked or powerless. Receiving the RELEVANCE Scholarship would not only support my educational path, but also serve as a reminder that our struggles are not setbacks -- they are sources of strength. Challenges are what make us human and remind us to keep our personal purpose close to heart while actively shaping our future. I am determined to become a physician who listens deeply, advocates fiercely, and treats patients with empathy and reassurance that they are not facing their challenges alone.