When I was 11 years old, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. It had only been two days since I finished the 5th grade and life would never be the same again. I had no idea what that meant and I had never even heard the word "insulin". My mom knew something wasn't right so she scheduled an appointment with my pediatrician. From there I was sent to the hospital and stayed there for four days, learning how I was going to live with this new chronic disease. That summer felt like the longest summer of my life, but I knew I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare after that. Going to the hospital was quite nerve-wracking, but I had such an amazing nurse taking care of me every day, teaching me about my new gadgets, how to draw up insulin, and helping me muster up the courage to give myself my injection. Everyone surrounded my hospital bed and watched as it took me three pokes to finally stabilize the syringe and push the plunger. I remember my night nurse and mom so joyfully celebrating the fact that I didn't need to get a shot in the middle of the third night because my blood sugar had finally stayed in range. After nine years, I have not forgotten their names and I can still picture their faces. When it finally came time to go back to school, I visited the nurse's clinic for a rundown of how diabetes would be managed at school. I walked to the clinic every single day, before and after lunch, or when I needed a juice pouch or another shot. The nurse would help me count my carbs and make sure I was okay. The clinic was my safe place because of her. What has solidified my decision to pursue a career in nursing has been my experience as a counselor at diabetes camp. The ability to offer safety and encouragement to these kids and their families is a feeling like no other. When my camper told me "My dad is the only person I let change my pump sites and I've never even let my mom do it. I want you to do it.", I was honored and remembered how scary it was for me when I had to do my insulin pump by myself. Not to mention the surprised face of her mother when she saw that she tried the new site on her hip and asked us how on Earth we got her to do that, especially without her dad. Although being the counselor on call at night is worrying, as I monitor the blood sugars of ten sleeping children, I wouldn't trade charting in the middle of the night or having to feed them a snack piece by piece so that they don't drop, for anything, besides a cure of course. But for as long as there is no cure, I know that this is what I want to continue doing. Although my inspiration mostly surrounds Type 1 Diabetes, I love that with nursing I can serve many different communities. I am interested in pediatrics and neonatal nursing. I just started working as a student nurse intern in an emergency department and bringing a patient back after rounds of compressions was also a very solidifying moment. Later on, I want to become an endocrinology nurse practitioner and cater to kids, especially when I know firsthand what it is they are going through. I firmly believe empathy can change patient outcomes. I am certain this is the career for me.

My favorite scientific discovery would have to be that of insulin. Now I may be a little biased, probably really biased, but I have type one diabetes, therefore my body does not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone made by the beta cells in the pancreas. They allow glucose from the carbohydrates you eat, to be used by the cells for energy. Without insulin, the blood sugar levels start to rise, which leads to many complications and if left untreated, leads to death. My immune system for an unknown reason, attacked my pancreas so it does not make insulin. Had this discovery not been made, my diagnosis of diabetes would've been a death sentence at the age of eleven. There is no cure for type one diabetes. The only way to treat it is by getting insulin via injections or an insulin pump. Disregarding its extremely high price in the United States, insulin gives individuals with diabetes the chance to keep living and accomplish the things they want to do. Hopefully, this life-saving treatment is made more affordable in the United States, as it is in other countries, because it is vital for everyday life. The discovery of insulin is my favorite as it provides what my pancreas has failed to do, and keeps me alive.

I was diagnosed with type one diabetes June 6th, 2014, at 11 years old. I had never been hospitalized before, nor did I know what diabetes was. I was very scared and did not know what to expect when my pediatrician said I had to go to the emergency room. I remember that day like it was yesterday. A part of the memory that stands out the most, is the amazing nurse that took care of me. After diagnosis and continuing to learn to live with diabetes, I knew I wanted to be in the medical field helping others in similar situations. I am aspiring to become a nurse. I would like to work in different areas including neonatal nursing and pediatrics. In whichever area I work in, I know I will come across individuals with chronic auto-immune diseases. Having two auto-immune diseases, I know I'll be able to empathize with some patients, at least to a certain extent. I especially want to be on the pediatrics floor, taking care of newly diagnosed patients with diabetes. Diagnosis is a very vulnerable state. One is often understandably scared, worried, anxious, and or not knowing what to expect. It is one thing to know from an outside perspective, what one is going through. By that, I mean a nurse knows what type one diabetes is and what one needs to be okay. However, it is a completely different thing to fully know what one feels both physically and emotionally. I believe it would be wonderful to cater to patients newly diagnosed with diabetes as I personally know what they're going through. I know what the highs and lows feel like firsthand and can genuinely empathize. Although everyone has their own unique experience with diabetes and symptoms, there is that common understanding and feeling of safety I find when interacting with someone else who has diabetes. It is very validating.. I have dealt with many snarky comments about diabetes and discrimination along the past seven years and it can really get to a person. I've heard it from family, strangers, teachers, even some nurses. I want to advocate for representation and awareness in all areas of life, as no one deserves to be treated poorly just because of troubles they deal with. I had a teacher who would speak badly about me and mock my diabetes to other students behind my back. It was my first diabetes burnout, I was dealing with anxiety, depression, and not many adults in my life understood that. I was told I was going to fail the IB program by multiple people and constantly heard I was just being lazy. Though almost everyone was against me, I stayed because I knew what I was capable of despite what everyone else believed about me. The next two years in IB went just fine, I earned my IB and high school diploma, and was able to get past the burnout. That is why I want to work with kids with diabetes. I want to be there for them the way I wanted someone to be there for me in a low point of my life. I want to help them realize they can do anything despite a condition they have. Empathy is such a vital part of care and treatment, and I don't think there is anyone better to empathize with, than a person who physically and emotionally knows what you are going through. It is important empathy extends outside of clinical settings too, like in classrooms, work places, simply everyday life. One may not fully know another's battles.

The biggest turnaround story in my life wasn't the time I was diagnosed with type one diabetes, but rather dealing with it after five years. At first, my desire for perfection led me to do everything to the best of my abilities. What I didn't know was that, that strive for perfection and academic validation, would ultimately bring me to the lowest point of my life. My sophomore year of high school, after five years of pushing myself too hard, I grew tired, had my first burnout, anxiety, and depression. I did not want to be alive anymore. Another major factor that played into the anxiety and panic attacks I would have on the bus, in the bathroom stalls, and in class, was the fact that I had teachers who did not understand me and no one believed in me. My English teacher would tell others to not to partner up with me, that I would bring them down. She would mock me and my diabetes saying "she says it's because of her 'little sugar problems'" and throw up her quotation fingers. I would hear it too. "Oh, hear she comes!" as she stared at me walking by. I, as a 15 year old with a chronic disease, did not deserve that. I was in the IB program. I had been a straight A student up until that year. Most of my teachers told me to leave the program, that I was going to fail, and could not finish. I was in therapy, I knew that it would get better, so I stayed despite what everyone told me. I graduated high school with a 4.99 GPA, my IB diploma, and high scores in all subjects. That's how I came to know how strong of a person I truly am.

Finding happiness in the simple things is something I've honestly been struggling with recently. I'm stressed, my room is a mess, and managing my type one diabetes now for the 8th year, is just tiring. However, I believe this is a good, motivating opportunity to remind myself of all the things that used to and still keep me happy. Watching the sun rise with my sisters and brother in law. We did this many times during the winter. We took our blankets and jackets to the beach, and we just laid there. I saw my first shooting star the first day. There were about 5 that passed by and it made us all smile so wide. A perfect blood sugar, a full cartridge of insulin, and a fully charged pump. There is nothing I dread more than having to refill my medicine, a high blood sugar, and a dead pump. It makes me so happy when I feel in control of my diabetes because my mind gets to somewhat rest. Executing a project. I love crocheting, embroidering, making rings, painting, building furniture, etc. It is so therapeutic for me and finishing a project brings me so much joy. My pit-bull laying her head on me to sleep. She's just so cute and I love her so much. We don't have forever with our dogs so I enjoy these little moments I get to have with her as she grows. Finally removing an itchy site. Sometimes the tube under my skin gets really irritated. So when the 3 day mark is finally up and I get to rip off the site, I feel so relieved and there is nothing that feels more freeing. These are only a few things that make me happy. I now feel encouraged to keep finding more.