It is impossible for me to adequately put into words how much Camp Kudzu has impacted my life, but I am certainly going to try! Growing up in a small town, I didn't know another person living with Type 1 Diabetes. I was the only kid I knew who was pricking my finger to check my blood sugar every breakfast, lunch, dinner, and many times in between, injecting insulin every meal and snack time, and opening my lunchbox up each day to an index card with a carb count on it for my meal (shout out to my fabulous mom). Type 1 is sort of like being latched into a roller coaster indefinitely, at times. As you can imagine, that can feel daunting. I remember feeling isolated but (thankfully) having an incredible support system of both family and friends who helped me to feel seen throughout the early years after my diagnosis. However, as much as they tried (and they did- tirelessly), no one could actually understand what it was like to live with Type 1.

It wasn't until 2001, when my endocrinologist convinced me (and my mom) to give Camp Kudzu a try, that my eyes were opened to how many other kids were living a life similar to mine. I met childhood pen pals, best friends, and eventually, my sweet husband, Nick, at Camp Kudzu. I shared s'mores after carb counting and dosing insulin, I zip-lined across the lake after checking blood sugars to make sure we were in a safe range, I tie-dyed shirts/socks/shorts/overalls/pillowcases with every color under the sun, I blobbed and was blobbed epically into the lake, I conga-lined around the entire dining hall, and above all, I had human experiences while feeling like JUST ANOTHER KID/TEEN-- and Camp Kudzu made those things possible for me, and for so many others, whom I love dearly.

I am forever indebted to Kudzu for the richness it has provided to my life, and I am thrilled and honored to be one of Kudzu's Ambassadors this year. I hope you will join me in donating to a cause that is nearest and dearest to my heart, supporting Camp Kudzu's mission of educating, empowering, and inspiring children, teens, and their families living with Type 1 Diabetes.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your consideration, donations, and love. It takes the love, sweat, and tears of a huge village of people to make Camp Kudzu as incredible as it is each summer. I'm just hoping to create a little microcosm of that Kudzu magic by giving back to Camp, and helping to provide the same experience for others! 💚