Age: 15
Age at T1D diagnosis: 2

Catherine was only two years old when she diagnosed herself. Her older sister Elizabeth had just been diagnosed with T1D, and Catherine wanted to be just like her—so she pricked her finger. “When my parents looked at the number on the meter, my life was about to change forever. My blood-glucose level was much too high to be normal. Since that day, I have always had type 1 diabetes on my mind.” She’s been an advocate since that day, too.

Catherine is part of a research study that teaches kids with T1D how to problem-solve and cope with stress. She also helps her classmates understand the difference between T1D and T2D. A member of the rowing team, sports-medicine club, and her church youth group, Catherine hopes to study chemical engineering in college.