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A Life-Changing Diagnosis

When he was in seventh grade, Emmet O. '21 loved life at Saint David's School and with his friends. He was active in sports, on the school paper, and served on student council. Then, after experiencing symptoms, he learned he had Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), which he describes as a life-changing diagnosis. Last Thursday, Emmet, a senior at Regis High School, who will be attending The University of Pennsylvania in the fall, inspired our seventh and eighth graders with a Chapel talk about his response to the diagnosis. Rather than allowing it to discourage him, he was determined to control his condition independently, to raise awareness about the disease, and to help provide a support system for other young people diagnosed with T1D. 

Emmet became an active volunteer for a variety of diabetes organizations. He also wrote an adventure story, Drew Discovers Diabetes, about a dinosaur who is diagnosed with T1D and learns to manage it. Published last year, the book was written to inspire young people living with T1D and their loved ones, and to empower them to take control of their health and well-being. Proceeds from the book's sales are being donated to The Diabetes Research Institute in support of their work to find a cure.


In closing his Chapel talk, Emmet reflected on being back at his alma mater: "Now that it's been over a year since I published the book and I'm back on 89th Street I realized the Saint David's lessons all along that brought me here," he said. " The call to be men for others, the courage to stand up for what is right, and the joy of learning, all of these took root at Saint David's. It was here that I learned leadership begins with service and that we are called to act with both intellect and heart."

When a young person tells our boys how he is overcoming obstacles and adversity by doing good for others, the impact is deeper and more indelible than if the same message is delivered by someone older. The boys hearing Emmet's message on Thursday could imagine what it might mean for them to have to deal with a similar issue at a young age; how they might turn a challenge into an opportunity. Thank you, Emmet, for sharing your experience with our community.



Emmet is one of five Saint David's alumni who are also graduating from Regis High School this year and currently serving as interns at Saint David's.


www.saintdavids.org

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