When I received my diagnosis, I was upset, angry, and terrified that I would have to deal with this sickness for the rest of my life. I've never liked needles or blood, and knowing I'd have to deal with them for the rest of my life in order to survive made me unhappy and extremely frustrated. I felt labeled; I felt so different from everyone else. If I could go back, I would tell tiny fourteen-year-old Rae that this is going to be difficult, but it will make her stronger every day, as well as that she will have to learn to accept and embrace it, for there is nothing else she can do.      I’m Raegan Burns and I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 14 years old. I was scared that diabetes would prevent me from living my life to the fullest. I had worries that I would no longer be able to play volleyball or that I wouldn't be able to do all the things my peers could. Some things are more challenging than they used to be; however, I always find a way to figure them out. It may just take me longer.      My survival equipment is incredibly advanced in technology. I rely on technology to stay healthy, but the diabetes equipment I carry makes me vulnerable to cyberattacks. What if America's enemies decided to hack in and shut down pumps and monitors? Or what if somebody hacked in and gave phony information about your blood sugar levels, then caused your pump to shut down or pump considerably more than your body required? All of this can happen while you're asleep, which is really frightening. Diabetics all over the world who utilize technology, like me, to help them manage their diabetes would become ill and require medical attention. This sparked an increased interest in cybersecurity for me. I wanted to learn how to protect individuals from cyberattacks, particularly those who rely on medical equipment to stay alive.            I should be considered for this scholarship because I am the type of person who follows through with their goals. Some students start college, and they get distracted or don’t have the drive to finish their degree. I am not like those types of students; this scholarship wouldn’t go to waste. I have always been a very stubborn and determined person in my educational journey, and this stubbornness will continue in my will to finish my degree. This scholarship would be beneficial to me because I have to pay for my own college education. Both of my parents are educated and have helped me save a little bit, but ultimately, it’s my responsibility. I have been saving for it ever since I was old enough to work, but even now, I know I don’t have nearly enough money to pay for it. Any amount would help relieve the extra financial stress that always goes along with the responsibilities of college. I wouldn't have to work as many extra hours at my job to pay for school.       In the end, I'm just a hard-working female student who values her grades and works exceptionally hard in school and at work. I don't allow my chronic condition to prevent me from enjoying life to the fullest. This scholarship would go a long way toward helping me achieve my goals.

When I received my diagnosis of type one diabetes, I was angry & terrified that I’d have to deal with this sickness for the rest of my life. I've never liked needles or blood, & knowing I'd have to live with them for the rest of my life made me unhappy & extremely frustrated. I felt labeled; I felt so different from everyone else. I was scared that diabetes would prevent me from living my life to the fullest. Obviously, some things are more challenging than they used to be; however, I always find a way to figure them out. It just may take me longer. My friendship choices have been one of the areas in my life that I’ve had to modify. It is critical for me to have quality friends who are truly concerned about my health & are eager to help. Allowing my friends & family to assist me was difficult, but it was ultimately the wisest decision. It's refreshing to have people around me who understand how I may respond when I have low or high blood sugar, who remind me to give insulin for my food, or who have the right snacks for me at their house. Diabetes is a condition I have to live with, so having a supportive team is critical to getting through the tough times. When it comes to friends, I go with quality over quantity. Planning ahead & staying organized are essential for successfully managing Type 1 Diabetes. Taking too much or too little insulin can result in death. If a regular operating body drank a Coke, nothing would happen; however, if I drank one without first preparing my body, I wouldn’t feel well for the rest of the day. To enjoy my soda like everyone else, I have to calculate how many carbs to take, inject insulin, & wait ten minutes before my lips ever touch the brim of the can. If I do not prepare my body for carbohydrates, I’ll have high blood sugar levels for hours. I have a bag within reach containing my supplies, including an Omnipod, Dexcom, insulin, glucagon stick, snacks, & a glucose meter. Setting reminders, confirming prescriptions, & dealing with insurance are things I have to do so that I don’t run out of supplies. I used to be more spontaneous, but now, it’s imperative for me to plan ahead & have impeccable organizational skills. My survival equipment is incredibly advanced; our world is technology driven in so many ways. I rely on these advancements to stay healthy, but the diabetes equipment I carry makes me vulnerable to cyberattacks. What if America's enemies decided to hack in & shut down pumps & monitors? What if somebody hacked in & gave phony information about my blood sugar levels, resulting in my pump malfunctioning? Diabetics all over the world who utilize technology to help them manage their diabetes would become ill. This has sparked an interest in cybersecurity for me. I want to learn how to protect individuals from cyberattacks, particularly those who rely on medical equipment to stay alive. As long as there's evil in the world there needs to be super heroes. In the end, I'm just a hard-working, stubborn girl who values her grades & works exceptionally hard in school & at work. I don't allow my chronic condition to prevent me from accomplishing my goals & enjoying life to the fullest. This scholarship would help me extend my academic career, & it would also allow me to tackle my financial obligations without the extra stress that goes along with life’s challenges.

Technology saves my life every day! No, it actually does. My name is Raegan Burns, and I am a Type 1 diabetic. I rely on the Omnipod and Dexcom technology and equipment to keep my glucose levels within a healthy range every day. Without these technologies, I would not be able to live my life as fearlessly as I do now. My OmniPod regulates my blood sugar levels by delivering insulin when it's high through a cannula that's inserted into my skin. While also stopping my insulin delivery when my blood sugar is low. This is quite useful because my blood sugar occasionally lowers or increases in the middle of the night, and I would have no idea if I wasn't awake to prick my finger. My Dexcom, which is a CGM that inserts a fine wire into my body to be able to read my glucose, provides alerts to both my phone and my parents' phones to notify them of my sugar levels if they are out of range. Furthermore, if my omnipod did not turn off my insulin delivery, I would have a far worse low. Similar events occur when my blood sugar is high. My Dexcom detects my glucose level and sends messages to my OmniPod to add additional insulin to lower it. With their communication and system setup, I've been able to safely participate in sports, sleep without anxiety, avoid having to prick my finger every few hours, and live a normal life like everyone else. I am immensely grateful for these inventions, which I rely on every day to keep alive!