LACONIA — Cassidy Barrett was 7 when she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. For her, the biggest support systems were organizations like summer camps or libraries — places that represented a collaboration of social services, health care professionals and individuals united by living with the same disease.

Now 25, the Center Ossipee resident is working toward an associate degree in social work at Lakes Region Community College, so she can advocate for people who live with challenges, as she does.

“My goal after earning the degree will be to mainly involve myself with more of these ‘third spaces,’ like summer camps, after-school programs, libraries, or parks that are becoming less accessible to our society more and more as time passes,” Barrett said. “I see myself specifically working wit

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