At the age of four I was dropped off at my Grandparents house so my parents could attend a romantic vacation. I soon realized I am not a good wingman, for as soon as they got unpacked, they had to head back. I was in the hospital and had just been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.

Simply because I was so young, I had no idea how much this would change my live, but the week spent in the hospital gave me the opportunity to appreciate everything I had in my life. My parents who were teachers had to be taught to deal with something they had no experience with. Seeing this made me curious at everything, for if they could learn more being teachers, I could too. This led to me learning how to do math early to manage my diabetes better, helping me mature and excel in the classroom.

Soon in middle school, I attended an all-diabetic weeklong summer camp. Yes, I know it sounds funny when you hear the idea of it, yet Camp Kudzu changed my outlook on the disease. It helped me embrace diabetes and make me glad I was different than everyone else, despite the challenges that came with it.

As the technology for diabetics was evolving, I was too, for I began to play sports at a high level. I enjoyed both basketball and baseball. Managing it with these way different sports created challenges. It did not stop me from becoming all region in both sports in high school, proving it was just a speed bump.

Diabetes has become a part of my identity willingly and have used it to make jokes or an icebreaker countless times. I have since been free and grown into myself. The disease causing a healthy eating lifestyle I had since the age of four helped me become the funny, athletic, and smart person I am today.