Each year, we at Auger & Auger select a high-achieving student who exemplifies the traits of strength and perseverance to receive the Auger & Auger Disabled Scholarship Award. Today, we are excited to announce the latest recipient, Thomas Hastings, from the University of Delaware.
Many people in the world face challenges and hurdles that prevent them from grabbing life’s opportunities. Take Thomas, for example: diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes during high school, he could have easily been discouraged from pursuing his dreams of becoming an athlete.
He could have, but he wasn’t.
This is the story of struggle and the pursuit of excellence of one remarkable student who fought against obstacles he never chose but overcame anyway.
Thomas Hastings’ Journey
In May of 2020, Thomas was, by all accounts, the archetypal freshman student; he had personal aspirations of getting good grades and carving a name for himself in his niche. In this case, that niche was soccer.
Thomas was deeply passionate about the sport; he played at a competitive level and often dreamed of pursuing it in college. He loved the game so much that he even considered it as a potential career choice.
Unfortunately, in that same month, he faced a series of health problems that would eventually reveal a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.
This was a daunting challenge, if there ever was one. After all, how could it be possible to chase the dream of competing as a high-performance athlete while managing such a chronic condition?
Type 1 diabetes is relatively straightforward to address with the right medical support, though incredibly taxing. Patients have to balance blood sugar levels, monitor their diets to a tee, and stay topped up on expensive insulin requirements.
Signs of the disease often develop quickly, affecting an individual with dehydration, weight loss, fatigue, and slow recovery. Throw that on top of a person who has to maintain peak athletic performance, and it’s easy to see how it might seem like an impossible task.
It was understandable, then, that Thomas went through a stage of demotivation. Although initially held back by his condition, he found a way out.
“My mom found out about a camp that was specifically for teen athletes living with type 1 diabetes,” he wrote us. “I fought with my mom daily about not wanting to go, but when I got there, I was learning all this stuff and doing activities with other teens who were living with diabetes just like me.”
This first positive step gave him the momentum he needed to face the challenge of his condition head-on. Surrounded by motivated peers, he learned that it wasn’t over for him and that he could adapt and thrive in spite of the disease.
At the camp, Thomas learned new ways to manage his condition on the field, ranging from fueling his body before a game to managing blood sugar during intense physical activities. The connections he built also renewed a feeling of confidence and determination.
Diabetes was no langer a barrier. It was still difficult to live with, of course, but the mindset was that it was simply a challenge to overcome.
Overcoming Obstacles and Giving Back
Coming home from camp, Thomas felt the motivation to pay it forward. He returned the following year as a Teen Ambassador with the goal of supporting a younger generation facing the same condition that once held him down.
As an ambassador, Thomas mentored teenagers who were just beginning to grapple with their diagnosis. This role allowed him to develop further himself as he had to live by the values he preached if he were to be a model for the next generation.
Thomas’s desire to give back didn’t end there; with the help of his mother, Thomas launched a new project – a fundraising service for the camp. They began making and selling bracelets, with all proceeds going to the camp’s scholarship fund.
Thomas’s efforts met massive success and have, to date, secured over $15,000 for the camp. All of this is meant for the sole purpose of empowering teenagers to pursue their passions while managing their condition.
Achievements and Recognition
Thomas’s pursuit of his cause did not go unnoticed; he had successfully turned his personal challenge into a platform for advocacy and mentorship for voices that need to be heard. In response, Delaware awarded him the prestigious Buddy Hurlock Unsung Hero Award for demonstrating exceptional courage and perseverance and for setting an example for others to follow.
Building on this recognition, Thomas continues to expand his outreach and influence. In 2023, he was selected to join the DexcomU roster, where he found another avenue to raise awareness on athletics and diabetes.
Thomas’s Message to Others
“No matter what is going on with your life that is setting you back,” Thomas says in a message to other young athletes like him, “you can achieve what any other normal kid can do. You just have to put your mind to it, and your goals will become real.”
Thomas emphasizes in his message that setbacks shouldn’t define people; they’re just hurdles people can overcome with the right mindset and opportunity. His own journey proves to the world – and to us at Auger & Auger – that with a little bit of perseverance, an ordinary kid can turn challenges into growth.
“Just make sure you are taking care of yourself first with whatever challenges you face, and then apply that success to the sports world,” he adds. “Believe in yourself because you are just like everybody else, just with a minor setback. With hard work and determination, you can have success in your sport.”
Indeed, Thomas. You are living proof of that, and we at Auger & Auger can’t wait to see where you go from here.
Looking Forward to the Future
As Thomas prepares to take the next steps in his journey, he looks to the future with promise and purpose and the drive to continue making a difference in any way he can. He looks to pursue a degree in college that will enable him to further contribute to the diabetic community, either through research, healthcare, or more avenues of public outreach.
Of course, beyond his academic pursuits, Thomas also retains his commitment to physical activity and athletics. He also continues to inspire others to reach for their own dreams.
We are proud to help Thomas in his quest for excellence. We at Auger & Auger extend our respect and admiration and offer aid in the form of the Auger & Auger Disabled Scholarship Award.
The Auger & Auger Disabled Scholarship Award
The Auger & Auger Disabled Scholar Award is our law firm’s way of recognizing the spirit of strength and resilience that individuals exhibit when rising above disability. We contribute $1,000 toward the support of high-achieving students who are determined to pursue an undergraduate college degree despite facing physical and/or mental challenges.
We give out the award for the Fall semester each year – to an outstanding student who displays personal commitment and academic excellence.
We at Auger & Auger understand the effects of disability on individuals and families. We as personal injury lawyers often work with people who suffer from disabling injuries, and we know how difficult life can be for those who suffer from them.
This is why we established the award: we want to be direct contributors to the well-being of those who struggle with disabilities, and this is our means of doing so by providing financial assistance for deserving students.
More than financial aid, the Disabled Scholar Award is also a platform we use to raise awareness about the different challenges that disabled students face. We want to cast a spotlight on the perseverance of these students in order to encourage others to support them.
To be considered for the Auger & Auger Disabled Scholar Award, applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.8 and enrollment in an accredited undergraduate program. Applicants are required to submit an essay that reflects on their experiences living with a disability.
These essays are a means for students to share their personal stories of overcoming adversity, the lessons they’ve learned, and how these experiences have prepared them for college and beyond. Provided all requirements are submitted, our selection committee will determine the awardee solely based on the submitted essay.
If you would like to submit an application, you must do so before July 31 for the Fall Semester. We encourage all eligible students to apply and share their stories and journeys to overcome their disabilities.
We hope that, through the Disabled Scholar Award, we are able to empower and support a new generation of young leaders who will, in turn, inspire those who come after them.
Any More Questions? Call Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers Today
To contact Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers for more information about the Disabled Scholar Award or to get assistance with any other inquiries, you can reach out to us directly. Our team is dedicated to supporting students and individuals who have shown resilience in the face of adversity, and we are here to provide guidance and answer any questions you may have.
Whether you are a prospective applicant or simply wish to learn more about our scholarship or legal services, we are just a phone call away. Contact us at 800-559-5741 or visit our website to connect with our team.