Bethany Lojewski can be defined so many different ways. She’s a child development major at West Virginia University. She’s a member of the Pride of West Virginia. She’s been competing in pageants since she was five.

Oh yea, and she’s a Type 1 diabetic.

Lojewski was diagnosed with diabetes when she was 12 years old and really had no idea what the disease was or what it meant for her health and future.

“I thought I was going to die. I really didn’t know,” she said. “If I had someone to talk to me … I would’ve been able to understand it much better.”

That’s precisely what Lojewski is trying to do for others. She travels around the state and educates people of all ages about the truths of diabetes. She even helped to create a club called “Type One Mountaineers” to educate our campus. Once she graduates from WVU, she would like to become a child life specialist and continue to help children diagnosed with diabetes.

“Diabetes is something that you can live with as long as you take care of yourself,” she said. “Going out into the public and making a difference is honestly the most rewarding thing.”

Her story is just one of many in which students at WVU found what they’re most passionate about while studying at the University. You can read more about her and watch a video at http://projectme.wvu.edu/bethany-lojewski.

The project will unveil a new student story each month. If you know of a student who has a great story to tell, submit your suggestion for Project ME at http://projectme.wvu.edu/submit-your-story.

-WVU-

td/12/16/14

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