On March 24^th, at my college of 500 students, I performed quite possibly my final concert. I have been a self-proclaimed hip-hop/rap artist since I was 13, and have performed in churches, for a memorial service, a Thanksgiving event that fed thousands of homeless people, a variety of venues in multiple cities, for chapel at my school, multi-cultural events, and randomly with friends and family. The stage has been a wonderful platform for me, and the microphone has become my life image as it allows me to speak into others’ lives and influence them.

I write this to give creative ideas to those with type 1. When thinking of stage names, I took a nickname that I had been given in my tween years: ‘Betes (yes as in diabetes). It has allowed me to do quite a few things. I am able to tell people how it’s pronounced, give them my diabetes story, educate them on what type 1 is and what I am required to do to manage it, and do it all while allowing people to relax and enjoy some vibe music.

This concert finale gave me an opportunity to share my story through song. I wrote a piece called A Diabetes Song (clever, I know) that spoke into what happened leading up to my diagnoses, the early stages, and what I hope to encourage people in now as they have their own type 1 walk. Writing this, I am only days away from my 14^th diabetes anniversary. Thinking how much has happened in that time is heartening! A year after I started rapping, I gained a desire to enter the medical field, a journey I am continuing on to this day.