VERONA, Wis. – A Wisconsin teen is leading a very full life as he heads off to college with Type 1 diabetes.

Henry Gabrielski lives in Verona, and just graduated from Verona Area High School.

Upstairs in his room lives his axolotl Rocky, whom Henry feeds earthworms every other day.

“He is a type of salamander, but he’s the only type of salamander that doesn’t go on land,” Gabrielski said.

He’s headed to UW-Stevens Point in the fall for biochemistry, to eventually become a veterinarian. He’s an accomplished theater performer and violinist. He’s also a type one diabetic.

“I was diagnosed when I was five, right before kindergarten,” Gabrielski said.

When you’re a kid, you just want to be like everybody else. He didn’t love being different, but he had to push through.

“In elementary school, for lunch I would go to the nurse and we’d carb count, about how much are sandwiches, or baked beans? Baked beans are the worst,” he laughed. “They kicked in late, and so you’d dose for them, you’d go low, you’d correct your low, and then you’d shoot up to 250, like no!”

His commitment to his extracurriculars and academics helped him earn a college scholarship from Beyond Type 1, the foundation started by Nick Jonas, who’s also diabetic. Only 24 scholarships were given out nationwide.

That money will, of course, help him pay for college expenses. However, it’ll also help him pay for the many things he needs because of his diabetes.

“I need to buy new pump site changes, and CGM (chronic glucose monitor) changes,” Gabrielski said. “I also need to pay for insulin.”

Type 1 has taught him to be flexible.

“I can still participate, and enjoy drama, and singing, and whatever else I’m interested in. I just have to have a few extra steps in the way,” he said with a smile.

For more information about Beyond Type 1, click here.