Why I want to be a pediatric diabetes educator! by Aubri

Why I want to be a pediatric diabetes educator! by Aubri - February 2024 Scholarship Essay

After graduating from high school this year, my plan is to attend Dakota Wesleyan University for four years to receive my bachelor’s degree in nursing. Once I become a registered nurse, my goal is to start working in a pediatric hospital as a type one diabetes educator. The reason I am drawn to this field is because type one diabetes has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. While I personally do not have diabetes, my mom, younger brother, and younger cousin were all diagnosed with type one diabetes at a young age. Living in a household where I am the only person who doesn’t have diabetes has been very eye opening. I have been involved in many aspects of their care including counting carbohydrates, treating low blood sugars, adjusting insulin doses, and giving my cousin shots. I have seen the hardships diabetes has brought on my family. I have also seen them push for access to the best technology and healthcare available to them, and never let their type one diabetes stop them. They continue to live their lives to the fullest every day despite the challenges they face. My exposure to the challenges of type 1 diabetes has inspired me to learn more about the disease and try to make a difference in the type one diabetes community. While there is currently no cure, I plan to be as involved as possible in fighting and advocating for people with diabetes.

Despite the hardships and challenges diabetes can bring, I have also been given some very special opportunities. For the last two years, we have attended a conference in Florida for families affected by type one diabetes. I had previously participated in the teen program. However, now that I am 18, I have applied to be a volunteer. Even if I am not selected to fill one of the volunteer positions, I plan to continue to attend because there is so much education available throughout the sessions. It also provides attendees with opportunities to form lifelong bonds with other families who are affected by diabetes.

Another positive experience I have had because of diabetes is seeing the effect Camp Gilbert, a camp for children with type one diabetes in South Dakota, has had on my younger brother, my cousin, and my mom. This camp brings kids together from all of South Dakota who have diabetes. It allows them to connect with others who understand the troubles they go through. It allowed them to be more confident with their diabetes. Camp can be expensive, but it is an amazing opportunity for the kids who attend. I have held several fundraisers throughout the years to help more kids attend Camp Gilbert because I believe that all kids with diabetes should have a chance to be around others just like them.

In the future, after I become a registered nurse, I plan to continue to volunteer for this camp and the conferences. I really want to go above and beyond to make a difference in the type one community. I believe that the experiences I have had with my family in relation to diabetes will help me to relate better to my future patients. I may not understand what it is like to live with type one diabetes, but I have seen the effects it has on the people who do. I feel that I will be able to connect on a deeper level to truly help those who need it, and that is my goal.