Age: 17
Age at Diagnosis: 9

When Josie’s former state senator asked her to talk about living with T1D at a press conference, she jumped at the chance. “I was the voice for millions of others advocating for better health care.” Illinois Senate Bill 667 passed, capping the out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $100 a month, and Josie was proudly at the signing.

In addition to being a JDRF Youth Ambassador, Josie participates in the JDRF One Walk and holds a yearly spaghetti supper to raise awareness and money for JDRF. She wants to use her voice to give children with T1D courage. 

When Josie is not advocating for the T1D community, she is active in drama, Future Farmers of America, 4-H, volleyball, and softball. When she is older, Josie sees herself becoming a child life specialist because she knows how scared she was when she was hospitalized.

“Illinois teen selected to Children’s Congress,” KWQC, July 2, 2023