Age: 11
Age at T1D diagnosis: 8

Emerson refuses to let T1D block him from doing the things he loves, which include playing lacrosse, hiking, participating in Boy Scouts and running warrior dash races, all while maintaining a 3.5 grade point average. Emerson has participated in JDRF One Walk events, and has done an impressive job of raising awareness about T1D at school by speaking to his classmates about the realities of living with diabetes. Emerson likes to make it clear that while he has T1D, it doesn’t have him. “I have T1D, but it does not control me. I am a regular fifth grader who is active in my scout troop, sports teams and an honor roll student.”