Hi, my name is Samantha Bernholtz. I am 10 years old and go to Central Trail Elementary. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes on August 23, 2012 which was my first day of second grade.  My parents both picked me up early from school that day. I was nervous about what was going on because my Dad never picks me up.  When we got in the car, my mom and dad explained to me that we had to go to the hospital because our doctor told them I had to be checked out.  I knew my mom was upset and my Dad was nervous.  I was scared when we got to the hospital, especially when I found out I had to stay there.  I was afraid that my mom was going to leave me there, but she told me that she was going to stay with me all the time. That made me feel better. We spent three days in the hospital learning how to give shots, finger pokes and counting carbs.  The shots and fingers pokes really hurt at first but now I am used to them and they aren’t so bad anymore. I give myself my own shots most of the time and I am learning to count carbs and figure out my insulin amounts.

I love swimming. I have been swimming since I was 2 ½ years old and love it so much that I joined the St. James Swim team this past summer.  I was chosen as their MVP for my age group.  I also like to snow ski, ride my Ripstick, scooter and my bike.

My family heard about the Walk to Find a Cure at Ottawa Park through the doctor and nurses at the Endocrine Center. We signed up right after I was diagnosed as “Team Sam. “We have walked each year now and continue to raise money to help Breakthrough T1D find a cure. We can do it!”