Aaralyn

From her mom, Laurie:

My daughter, Aaralyn, was diagnosed one month before her 10th birthday. She had been loosing weight but we thought she was entering a growth spurt. I am embarrassed to admit that it took me several months to but everything together. We went to see her pediatrician on Saturday morning who immediately sent us to the emergency room. I did not realize that she would be admitted to the hospital until we were in the ER. She was so scared because she did not understand what was happening but she was so brave. We spent Saturday and Sunday in the hospital, Monday was a holiday and by Tuesday she was back at school, not missing one day.

Aaralyn is an inspiration. Despite the minute by minute challenges that T1D throws at her. She was a year round recreational athlete and 2 sport varsity athlete. She is an honor student both in HS and now as a sophomore in college. She has completed 5K, 10K, half and full marathons, all while maintaining straight As in college. As a family we were active in our local Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF). After years as a camper, she now volunteers as a counselor during summer camp and seasonal family camps.

She amazes me with her strength, resilience and positive attitude! And she hopes to contribute to the work to end T1D as a Biomedical Engineer when she graduates.