When you first look at Sarah Myers, you are drawn toward her fire-engine red hair or her welcoming smile, but then you notice a clear cord hanging from her arm all the way around to the back pocket in her jeans. At that moment you forget the stunning red hair and wonder what that cord is.
Some may be too shy to ask, but Sarah is not shy about her type 2 diabetes. Sarah pricks her finger at least five times a day and must pay close attention to what she eats, not because she is watching her weight, because it could land her in serious situation.
However, Sarah does not let her disease stop her from living life, if anything she thrives off her diabetes. Sarah is a teammate on the world renowed OSU Equestrian team, philanthropy chair for her sorority and is an executive for OSU’s first Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon. On top of that she makes time for friends, a boyfriend and her puppy, Linus. Sarah is a role model, not like Oprah, a true, real life role model that has struggles just like others or more than others, but she is unstoppable force, she lets nothing rain on her parade!
Here are some facts about Sarah:
· Where are you from: I am from Edmond, Oklahoma but I was born in Ithica, New York
· What year are you: I am a sophomore
· What is your major: I am majoring in animal science with a pre med option
· What activties are you involved in: I am a part of the OSU Equestrian team where I ride western horsemanship, A member of Phi Mu fraternity where I serve as the philanthropy chair, I am on the executive board for OSU children’s miracle network dance marathon where I am in charge of the family relations, I am enrolled in 16 hours, I will do any community service activity I can find, into the streets, the big event, I am an animal science research scholar where I work in Dr. Zhang’s lab doing research.
· What’s your favorite movie: Madagascar!!!
· What’s your favorite book: The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks or Sisterhood Everlasting
· How did you decided to come to OSU: The second I stepped foot on OSU’s campus I knew it was the one for me. The amazing equestrian team also helped drive me to choose OSU. For being such a large campus it has a very small and welcoming feel about it. It is such a tight knit community that I could not help but fall in love with.
· Do you have any tips for students trying to balance school, extracurriculars and the struggles of diabetes: I would advise them to take it one step at a time. Living with a chronic illness you need to know that your heath is the most important thing in your life and it should always come first. Being in college can make it really difficult to deal with this part. All you want to be is normal and healthy but you have to remember to always take care of yourself. School comes next. It’s the whole reason you are at school anywaysJ But never forget to have fun. Hang out with friends and do things that you enjoy in your free time. Never let the stress of school and your disease get the best of you.
· Do you have a most embarrassing moment: When I was in middle school I was leaving the lunchroom and I had my head turned talking to my friends behind me when I turned around just in time to hit a poll. Sad enough this poll knocked me out and I woke up to a people standing around me. I hate being the center of attention and with this many eyes on me I was bright red with embarrassment.
· Where is your favorite spot on campus: I love being at the AEC in Gallagher iba. It is the study spot for athletes and you can always find fun activities and people in this place.
· What is your dream job: I would love to be a pediatrician for a major university medical program helping children the way my doctors have helped me my entire life.
· What was your first reaction when you were diagnosed with diabetes: My first reaction was actually pretty calm. I have always been an active person and all I cared about was getting out of the hospital and back to my life.
· When did you find out you had diabetes: I found out I was diabetic on October 11, 2002
· What are your best tips for staying healthy: Always watch what you are eating. It is important to know what you are putting in your body. Always stay hydrated and exercise. Even for a person with a chronic illness it is important to exercise
· If you could give one piece of advice to diabetics what would it be: Live your life; don’t ever let this slow you down!
· What’s on your bucket list: My bucket list gets longer everyday! I would love to see the northern lights
· What is one things everyone would be surprised to know about you: I am a huge nerd. I love science classes and research
· Chocolate or vanilla: Chocolate
· City or country: Suburbs
· Beach or mountain: Mountains
· Summer or winter: winter
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at OK State chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.