Age: 17
Age at T1D diagnosis: 10

When Jessica was first diagnosed with T1D at age 10, she had a rough time adjusting to what life was like living with T1D, saying that she was “a girl controlled by a disease.” After a scary experience in February 2017, Jessica gained a new outlook and decided that she was the one in control. She used this drive to not only continue to live her life and accomplish her goals, but mentor other young people with T1D who were struggling with their diagnosis as well, which eventually led to her being featured on CBS’s People Who Make a Difference. Jessica looks forward to bringing her positive attitude to D.C., saying, “I am so thankful that I am no longer a girl controlled by a disease, but rather I have found strength in my disease.”