I can never say that diabetes has changed my life because managing my diabetes is all I’ve known— it’s a sixth sense.  Diabetes will never get in the way of what I want to achieve, it just creates an extra step.

In September 1994, at the young age of 13 months, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D). I am currently 20 years old and do not remember anything about my diagnoses except for what my parents have told me. My parents were very persistent, taking me to the doctor’s office frequently and explaining that they thought something was wrong.   At first, the doctors thought it was just constipation.  However, after three grueling days at the Falls Church Kaiser Permanente and many tests the doctors figured out what was wrong. I was diagnosed on the third day with T1D with a blood sugar reading of 680 mg/dl. My parents were both clueless as to what diabetes was, yet they managed to learn how to best maintain my health very quickly. After staying for six days at Fairfax Hospital my mother took charge of my health to help me strive to be the person I am today. Ever since September 1994, I haven’t needed to go to the hospital due to my diabetes and I hope that it will continue to be this way.

I am currently attending George Mason University in Fairfax, VA and look forward to graduating in May 2015 with a degree in Health Administration and Policy. I am constantly keeping myself busy as a team member and as the Vice President of the GMU Women’s Club Lacrosse team.

I began volunteering at JDRF Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Chapter last fall. Currently I hold the position of Special Events Intern with a focus on the Walk program. I love helping a cause that is so dear to me and that makes my life as a diabetic more manageable.

I am new to advocating JDRF’s mission, however I feel it is never too late to get started. Spreading the word about JDRF is as simple as starting to tell those close to you about your experiences with diabetes or a friend’s experience with diabetes.