Age: 17
Age at T1D diagnosis: 2

“I’ve appreciated my life, both the good and bad, so much more as a chronically ill young person than I ever could have as a regular teenager,” reflects Rachel. “Being sick is the greatest blessing in disguise. It’s so much more than just having an illness.” Rachel, a skilled public speaker, is attending JDRF Children’s Congress to advocate for greater awareness and funding for T1D. She has served as an ambassador for her chapter’s JDRF Gala since 2004, and has organized the Red Apple Run to educate her community about T1D. Aside from this work, Rachel is captain of her school’s mock trial team, debate team and volleyball team, as well as vice president of her school’s Key Club. She hopes to study communications and public relations in college, and eventually work at a nonprofit.