Our past JDRF Children’s Congress Delegates are a dynamic group of kids and young adults that show how advocacy and the T1D community work together to inspire change.

They wanted to share some more advice with our newly selected JDRF 2023 Children’s Congress Delegates!

Miles

Dallas, NC
Student at the Gifted and Talented Academy at Pleasant Ridge Elementary
Favorite memory from JDRF Children’s Congress: I liked meeting my Representative in his fancy office in the Capitol Building.
Words of advice to 2023 Delegates: Bring snacks and something to do while you’re waiting in between meetings.

Kabir

Charlotte, NC
Student at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Favorite memory from JDRF Children’s Congress: I loved meeting tons of new people while being able to make progress towards a goal that’s near and dear to my heart.
Words of advice to 2023 Delegates: Remember any contribution you make, no matter how small it may seem, can have a cascading effect.

Carly

Redford, MI
Student at Albion College
Favorite memory from JDRF Children’s Congress: When I met many other incredible Delegates and celebrities and the Senate hearing because it was so inspiring to hear the testimonies.
Words of advice to 2023 Delegates: Be prepared to tell the story of how you became the incredible, fierce, and strong advocate you are today! And start a group chat if you meet some new friends because some of the people I have met have become my friends for life.

Lauren

Wilmette, IL
Student at North Shore Country Day School
Favorite memory from JDRF Children’s Congress: I loved going to the Senate hearing.
Words of advice to 2023 Delegates: Have fun! It’s a great adventure.

Ellie

Highlands Ranch, CO
Student at Colorado Early Colleges
Favorite memory from JDRF Children’s Congress: Meetings we had with the Senators. The conversations I had helped me to develop and understand my own skills in speaking, and in making my own opinions heard.
Words of advice to 2023 Delegates: Look past whatever is happening in politics, and really focus on your goal of sharing your story.

Hattie

Clive, IA
Student at Waukee Middle School
Favorite memory from JDRF Children’s Congress: Meeting all of the other kids that are just like me!  It was nice to not be the only kid beeping at events.
Words of advice to 2023 Delegates: The members of Congress you meet with are people just like us—the more they know about T1D the better they can help us!

Chloe

Warwick, RI
Student at Toll Gate High School
Favorite memory from JDRF Children’s Congress: Going to the Senate and state Representatives with friends from my state.
Words of advice to 2023 Delegates: Don’t be afraid to talk to anyone. Everyone there is so nice, and this is the perfect place to not only advocate for T1D but also, to make new lifelong friends.

Casey

Laramie, WY
Student at the University of Wyoming
Favorite memory from JDRF Children’s Congress: My senator was speaking on the Senate floor and came back to his office specifically for our meeting, before heading back down to join the session again. It made me feel heard and important!
Words of advice to 2023 Delegates: I would recommend bringing a good pair of shoes for walking and taking advantage of great opportunities to tour all the important landmarks and buildings in DC!

Ethan

Beverly Hills, MI
Student at Wylie E. Groves High School
Favorite memory from JDRF Children’s Congress: My favorite memory was meeting kids from all over the world who also had type 1 diabetes.
Words of advice to 2023 Delegates: Don’t be nervous, be yourself, tell your story and know you are making a difference.

Adriana

Milton, PA
Student at Western Governors University
Favorite memory from JDRF Children’s Congress: Getting to be in a hotel full of people with T1D. It was so cool to connect with everyone immediately because we all experience the same thing.
Words of advice to 2023 Delegates: Take every moment in! The experience goes by so fast and when you leave, you will wish you were back there.

Sophie

Chappaqua, NY
Student at Horace Greeley High School
Favorite memory from JDRF Children’s Congress: The first time I walked into the main area, there were 165 Delegates with type 1 diabetes all in one room. It made me realize I wasn’t alone living with T1D and that there were so many other people like me who knew what I was going through.
Words of advice to 2023 Delegates: Take photos of everything big and small! It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Richard

Jacksonville, FL
Student at Bartram Elementary School
Favorite memory from JDRF Children’s Congress: I enjoyed meeting with members of Congress to share my experiences and challenges having T1D at 4 years old.
Words of advice to 2023 Delegates: If you’ve ever felt like the only one with T1D or that nobody understands, this trip will connect you with people who truly understand. 

Cameron

Ridgeville, SC
Student at Western Carolina University
Favorite memory from JDRF Children’s Congress: Doing all the social media challenges and the scrapbook we shared with our representatives.
Words of advice to 2023 Delegates: Have really comfortable shoes!  You don’t need to be nervous you just need to be you. You are so powerful and unstoppable.

Annelies

Eagle River, AK
Student at University of Alaska Anchorage
Favorite memory from JDRF Children’s Congress: Being in a room full of not only kids with T1D but parents, staff, and others who completely understood what it was like was something I’ll never forget. 
Words of advice to 2023 Delegates: Speak from the heart, and those around you will respond and want to listen when you come from a genuine place.  

 

JDRF 2023 Children’s Congress takes place July 9-11, in Washington, D.C.