Age: 9
Age at T1D diagnosis: 4

Ayla is a creative kid who loves to craft while singing Taylor Swift songs or the Wicked soundtrack. She has been a Girl Scout since kindergarten and has enjoyed dance, gymnastics, and basketball. She has a twin brother and a big brother who both play soccer, and she is always forming a “sibling crew” on the sidelines of their soccer games.

Ayla was diagnosed with T1D at the start of her pre-K year. Because it was during COVID, she couldn’t have many visitors, but her family talked about strong women overcoming challenges, as it was the same week RBG passed away, and her funeral was on the TV in the hospital room.

Ayla has a group of diabuddies at school that she leans on. She recently participated in her school district’s Innovation Fair, learning how to sew to create personalized storage pouches for diabetic supplies. Ayla has become somewhat of a “welcoming committee” when new kids have been diagnosed at her school, helping them learn how to do pump and CGM changes and making them feel comfy, too.