A poster hangs in the front office of Ryan's endocrinologist, showing Ryan's many activities and proving that he hasn't let diabetes stop him from living. "It took a lot of work, but now I am driving down the road of life with few potholes, or at least fewer than normal for an adolescent…with type 1 diabetes," Ryan says.

A poster hangs in the front office of Ryan's endocrinologist, showing Ryan's many activities and proving that he hasn't let diabetes stop him from living. "It took a lot of work, but now I am driving down the road of life with few potholes, or at least fewer than normal for an adolescent…with type 1 diabetes," Ryan says. He plays lacrosse, is a certified SCUBA diver, is on the swim team, and is a Life Scout, on his way to becoming an Eagle Scout. He aspires to be a mentor to younger children living with type 1, and applied to be a co-leader of a teen support group for people with the disease. As a delegate, Ryan wants to urge Congress to continue funding diabetes research, and to encourage other children with diabetes to pursue their dreams.