Introducing the American Diabetes Association 2016 Illinois Youth Ambassador!

Hello! My name is Amelia Renner and I am the American Diabetes Association 2016 Illinois Youth Ambassador. I am fifteen years old and a freshman in high school in downtown Chicago. I play competitive volleyball at a club and at my school, I love to read, and I use an Animas insulin pump and meter.

I began my experience with the American Diabetes Association almost immediately after my diagnosis. I was diagnosed in August of 2009, right before I went into the third grade. I was terrified, anxious, and completely dependent on my parents and teachers to control my diabetes for me. My mom then sent me to the American Diabetes Association Camp Confidence where I learned many, many lessons on managing my diabetes, viewed many positive role models, learned about my condition, made new friends, and had a great time! 

For the past 3 years I have been volunteering at Camp Crossroads and for the past 2 years at Camp Confidence because it is so important for people with diabetes to learn these lessons and I am sure that American Diabetes Association diabetes camps are the best places for this to occur. To me, being the Illinois Youth Ambassador means that I get to help more people learn these lessons and get to know the American Diabetes Association support system. I am very, very lucky to have been able to participate in diabetes camps and to have become the American Diabetes Association 2016 Illinois Youth Ambassador; I am very excited to work in this position and to get to know all of you!!