When Samantha first started kindergarten, her mom, Vicki, noticed she wasn’t acting like herself. Her unusual behavior led to an emergency room visit where doctors discovered her glucose level was dangerously high. Samantha was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, and within months came another difficult diagnosis: celiac disease. Samantha, however, stayed strong. Under the care and guidance of her team at Dayton Children’s Hospital, Samantha has learned to manage her life-altering conditions with extraordinary resilience. Throughout the seven years of her health journey, she has become a pro at continuous glucose monitoring and mastered the four daily insulin shots and strict demands that a gluten-free lifestyle requires. Her family rallied behind her, helping her carefully plan every meal and taking every step possible to prevent cross-contamination. Through it all, Samantha’s bright spirit has never dimmed. She proves that even in the face of complex health challenges, you can live a full, joyous life.