Welcome to our 2018 Breakthrough T1D One Walk Team Spotlights, a series dedicated to celebrating the most important part of Breakthrough T1D One Walk – YOU! Registration for the Bucks County Walk is now open, and fundraising is well underway. All the hard work culminates in a day of fun at the Warminster Community Park on Sunday, September 30, 2018!

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Meet the amazing Ava Settelen of Ava’s T1gers, a standout family team with Breakthrough T1D One Walk Bucks County. Ava was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) a little over two years ago. Now age 13, the awe-inspiring Ava does more than merely get by with a little help from her friends – she refuses to let T1D get her down. Her resiliency and positive attitude are inspiring, and we invite you to read more below to find out what Breakthrough T1D means to the Settelen family, as told by Ava!

Tell us about your life with T1D.

I was diagnosed with T1D on November 25, 2015. My life with T1D really isn’t that different than most people’s lives, other than I have to do via insulin what my body can’t. I can do whatever I want; T1D doesn’t hold me back from anything. If I do find myself feeling down, I tell myself that when things in life get you down, all you have to do is pull yourself up.

Why did you decide to get involved with Breakthrough T1D and the Bucks County Walk?

I thought that the Walk was a cool, local thing that would help a cause that is larger than myself, but at the same time be something so close to me personally. It’s a great way to help so many others.

How do you plan to fundraise for the Bucks County Walk?

The first time we did the Walk, I honestly didn’t have much of a plan – those who donated where mainly family and close friends. Soon after our second Walk, people from school where all asking me for “Ava’s T1gers” shirts or (as a joke) my “Merch”, so now I plan to talk to my school’s principal and see if we can sell shirts to donate the profits toward Breakthrough T1D.

The people I have met through Breakthrough T1D have become great friends – friends who understand all of the little daily things that us type 1s deal with.

How has Breakthrough T1D’s support made a difference for you and your family?

Breakthrough T1D has made a very large difference for me and my family. The one [difference] that stands out for me was, shortly after I was diagnosed, receiving Rufus my diabetic bear stuffed animal and all the other little things he came with. Having the little guy to snuggle with when I wasn’t feeling too great about my diagnosis made me feel better. Breakthrough T1D has also helped get us in touch with a bunch of local T1D kids and families. It’s great having other experienced families to talk to about T1D.

What would you tell someone with T1D or a newly diagnosed family about Breakthrough T1D?

I would tell them that Breakthrough T1D is a great organization that fundraises and advocates for type 1 diabetics. It also helps with reaching local resources you can share your T1D challenges with. The people I have met through Breakthrough T1D have become great friends – friends who understand all of the little daily things that us type 1s deal with (such as how hard it is to bolus for ice cream sometimes, people asking you if you can eat a certain food, etc).

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Stay tuned to the Breakthrough T1D Eastern PA blog for more One Walk Team spotlights!

Have you registered for One Walk Bucks County yet? Visit walk.jdrf.org/buckscounty to create or join a team! For more information about the Breakthrough T1D One Walk program, or to find a Walk location near you, please visit walk.jdrf.org.