Every summer for the past eight years I have attended Camp Kudzu, a camp for kids and teens with Type 1 diabetes. This one week every summer is—hands down—my favorite week of the year. I had been a camper up until this past summer, when I attended as a CIT (counselor-in-training).
As a CIT, you get assigned to a cabin with three counselors and nine campers. You get to enjoy the week and learn the ropes of being a counselor. I had the amazing opportunity to be paired with the 9 and 10-year-old girls. I helped out with their daily activities and their diabetes management.
It was an incredible experience to give back to the campers by helping them out and making them feel more confident about the disease. I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of this camp for many years and now I get to volunteer my time and give back to a place that has the greatest place in my heart.
When I began Darlington as a freshman, I paid so much attention to my friends and starting a new school that I allowed myself to forget to take my insulin or check my blood sugar. My doctor was shocked at how bad I was treating my condition. My downward spiral went on until this summer—the summer before my senior year.
When I came to camp as a CIT, I realized the effect that I had on these kids and how much they looked up to me as a role model. I knew in my mind that I could not let a “bad” diabetic be their role model, so from that moment on I have changed how I managed my disease and I am back on track to being a healthy diabetic. I’m on my way to reaching my goals.
I am now extremely proud to be any of those little girls' role model!
