Inclusion is feeling connected to my community and being given the opportunity to engage in a

dialogue about my disability. Support systems are especially important for providing me a sense of

belonging, by empathizing with my situation and acting as an outlet for my thoughts and fears.

When I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in the hospital, I received a valuable piece of advice:

“Put your disease out in the open.”  Check your blood sugar and inject yourself with insulin in front of

others. Make Type 1 Diabetes normal This approach to coping with my condition has worked

extremely well for me and has made me feel more accepted in the Cornell community. I love to

discuss and spread awareness about my disease every day. As a result, I gain more

support from others and feel empowered to overcome my daily obstacles.