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Nolan Rasmussen has never been one to sit still for long. If he’s not racing down the sidewalk on his scooter, he’s in the pool, on the soccer field or chasing after his big brother, Ian. Fear just isn’t part of his vocabulary.

“He goes through life headfirst,” his dad, Jesse, said. “But he’s also one of the most big-hearted kids you’ll ever meet.”

That heart shows up everywhere. At school, Nolan helped another student with Type 1 diabetes learn the ropes, offering guidance and friendship. It’s something Nolan understands deeply, because not long ago, he was the one learning how to navigate the life-changing diagnosis.

Nolan was 3 years old when his parents noticed something wasn’t right. What started as small concerns quickly became more serious — constant thirst, frequent bathroom accidents, subtle warning signs that added up. Having family members with Type 1 diabetes, Nolan’s mom, Lindsey, had his blood sugar checked.

Within hours, they were at Norton Children’s Hospital, where doctors confirmed the family’s concerns: Nolan had Type 1 diabetes.

“It was one of the longest nights of our lives,” Lindsey recalled. “You realize life will never look the same again.”

For Nolan, the experience was overwhelming. IVs, blood draws, constant monitoring.

“No more pokes,” he would plead.

For his parents, it was heartbreaking.

But in those moments, they found something just as powerful as fear: support.

From the beginning, the team at Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute, a part of Norton Children’s, stepped in. Not only did the team treat Nolan, but it also guided his entire family. Child life specialists helped Nolan understand what was happening in ways he could process, while nurses, educators and physicians helped his parents learn how to manage a complex condition.

Nolan’s care continued beyond the hospital walls. At Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute, Nolan’s family found an entire team dedicated to helping kids live full, active lives with diabetes. His care includes pediatric endocrinologists, nurse practitioners, diabetes educators, dietitians and other specialists, all working together to create a personalized plan.

“It’s not just about treatment,” Jesse said. “They teach you how to live with this.”

The institute combines advanced technology, like insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors, with hands-on education, nutrition support and even programs that help kids stay active and confident in sports and everyday life. Families also have access to clinical research and new therapies, offering hope for the future.

“One of the first things we did as a family was get a blood draw for TrialNet in support of Nolan,” Jesse said. “Big brother Ian has been tested twice now and has overcome his fear of needles to help with research and advancements for his brother and others with Type 1.”

For Nolan, the support has helped him thrive. He still swims. Still plays. Still keeps up with his big brother. Life now includes carb counting, monitoring blood sugar and carrying supplies everywhere he goes, but it hasn’t taken away what matters most.

“He still gets to be a kid,” Lindsey said.

Nolan goes to Washington

In early June, Nolan and his family traveled to Washington, D.C., lending their voices to a national effort to improve children’s health. As representatives of Norton Children’s during the Children’s Hospital Association Family Advocacy Day, they joined hundreds of families from across the country to meet with lawmakers and share firsthand how decisions made in Congress can shape the lives of children.

“Our whole hope for this was just really to be heard … I really felt that they listened, and hopefully when they go to vote or they go to negotiate, they think of Nolan,” Jesse said.