I’m pursuing a degree in life sciences after living most of my life with diabetes. With this, I’ve had to work closely with an endocrinology team. This team of doctors, educators and dietitians have been my medical support and cheerleaders. Their support of me - educating me, listening to me, championing me - is why I’m pursuing my degree so I can do for others what has been “normal” for me. Growing up, I knew I wanted to work with diabetics. When I participated in dance, I was told I couldn’t be a performer because of diabetes. Coaches and teammates would expect less of me due to my diabetes. I was constantly beat down and left on the sideline, wondering why I was working hard when they would try to limit my success. These two opposite yet important examples are why I’m majoring in Dietetics Nutrition and Nutrition Fitness and Health, with the goal of becoming a dietitian for diabetic athletes. I want to be a voice for those who’ve been told it’s not possible for them. No athlete should experience this. Type 1 Diabetes doesn't limit one's potential; if anything, it promotes a desire to work hard and live beyond the diagnosis. I want to be on the sidelines empowering athletes to catch the winning touchdown, set a personal record, or simply stay on the field while managing diabetes. Pursuing a double major wasn’t a simple decision and one that has made my course of study complex and challenging. I don’t have the opportunity in my schedule to take classes of interest outside my majors; therefore, each semester is intense and rigorous. There are days when I question if I’m up to this challenge. On those days, I’m grounded by my experiences from working at diabetes camp. I worked as a Counselor, Nature Center Director, and Day Camp Instructor at a diabetes camp for four summers, and was a camper before working. When working, my eyes were opened to the knowledge of others who experienced shame for their diabetes. Specifically, I had a camper who was a basketball player. She told me her coach wouldn’t give her playing time because he was afraid her diabetes would “act up”. Her dream was to play basketball, but that was cut short because her coach didn’t show confidence in her with managing her diabetes. I saw myself in this camper, in the way she looked disappointed when talking about a sport she loved to play. It’s realizations like this that I’m reminded of the importance my career can hold for someone else. If she had a dietitian working with and educating her coach, her outcome could have been different. It's my desire to be that dietitian, and it motivates me to always work hard! Growing up, my mom said every day is an opportunity to educate and advocate. I didn’t understand those words until college - now that I’m 100% responsible for my daily wellness. When dancing, I wanted others to see beyond my diabetes. It wasn’t my fault my blood sugar was low and I had to pause, yet that’s how it was perceived by those who weren’t educated. Now, I’m not intimidated by my diabetes. Diabetes does not define who I am or what I want to do in life. The contribution I can make in my field of study and the diabetes community is showing others they aren’t a diagnosis, creating a community of support and encouragement, teaching others how to positively manage their diabetes in an athletic environment, and being a voice that educates and advocates for all!

When I was two years, my whole world changed. Before I even knew what it was like to live "normally" I could not live "normal" anymore. Two months after my second birth, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. At first, this diagnosis impacted my family more than it did me. My mom had to deal with the mental struggle of hearing me yell "STOP, STOP" as she was giving me my insulin shots, trying to keep me alive. My siblings had to learn early on that I was allowed to eat gummies after they were told "No." When I was five years old, I got my first insulin pump. A few months after getting the Omni Pod, I became a pro. I could change my insulin pump all by myself, even though it was never easy. When I was seven years old, I tried to wear a Dexcom to better track my blood sugar. However, wearing two different devices was not an easy concept for a seven year old. I would constantly tell my mom, "No, I do not want to wear two things. People cannot see two things on me." After years of arguing, I finally constantly wore the Dexcom, needless to say it helped! Growing up I danced for nine years. Being a dancer and having Type 1 diabetes, I constantly heard people in my ear telling me I would not amount to a good dancer because of my diabetes. I eventually let the negativity get to me and I stopped dancing my freshman year of high school. Shortly after I stopped dancing, I felt lonely. COVID-19 had just shut down my school, I stopped dancing, and I was all alone. While being locked in my house due to Covid, I struggled mentally. My anxiety and depression were at an all time high. Eventually I developed an eating disorder, but did not tell anyone. When I finally felt ready to talk, my dietitian at my endocrinologists office was the first person I told. As I was telling her how I felt, she poured out just how much she loves and appreciates me. We started meeting one on one after my meetings with my endocrinologist, where she gave me nutritional information that not only helped me recover from my eating disorder but helped menage my Type 1 diabetes as well. It is because of her that I am now in school and on track to become a Registered Dietitian. I want to help people. I am currently a junior at Purdue University double majoring in Dietetics Nutrition and Nutrition Fitness and Health. After graduating, I want to become a Registered Dietitian who specializes in diabetes education and athletes. Through this I will be a dietitian for a professional sports team, helping athletes who have a chronic illness. No one asks for a chronic illness. I did not ask to be Type 1 diabetic. However, there is good that comes from everything. I will use my experience as a diabetic and a dancer to help athletes in need. No one should ever hear they will not amount to something just because of a chronic illness they cannot prevent.