Age: 8
Age at T1D diagnosis: 5

Having T1D hasn’t been child’s play for TJ and his two older sisters, who all have the disease. But thanks to research and technological developments, TJ, who also has celiac disease, uses a pump. “My sister Tylie said that when she was my age, she still had to draw up two different kinds of insulin and she had to have three or four shots a day. Mom and Dad had to help her. Without research, I bet I would be doing that, too.”

Each year, TJ discusses T1D and why he uses a pump with his class. “I like the attention, but I would like it for what I can do, not for what I have! That is why I would like to go to Children’s Congress.”