T1D

Dealing with the Diagnosis

T1D comes with many struggles and challenges, and we’re here to support you and your family as you adjust to a life of raising your T1D Child.

On this page, you’ll find helpful information that will give you some direction on where to start as you navigate through the weeks following your child’s diagnosis.

When your child is first diagnosed, it can be overwhelming for a parent. There is a lot to learn and you’ll get a crash course in a very short amount of time during your stay at the hospital. You will learn the basics. Restless days and sleepless nights, learning a completely new way of living, managing prescription renewals and staying on top of all the supplies, is all VERY overwhelming and a complicated task.

You're not alone. I will offer my knowledge and give you helpful advice from day one. Things may or may not get easier, but it will get better.

Backstory

I am sorry to hear about your child’s recent diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. It can be a challenging and overwhelming time for both the child and the family. It's important to remember that with proper medical care, lifestyle adjustments, and emotional support, your child can lead a full and active life. Working closely with healthcare professionals and learning about diabetes management will be crucial in helping your son thrive despite this new diagnosis. It's natural to feel a range of emotions, but know that you are not alone, and there are many resources and support networks available to assist you during this time.

Our son Ethan was diagnosed with T1D in September 2022. Since then, we have been dealing with the struggle of our “new normal”. From constant lows and highs throughout the days and early morning hours to insulin adjustments every month. Having to have a juice box handy and with you at all times. Eventually through alot of trial-and-error things have gotten better for us.

A young boy wearing a green and gray striped shirt and a white and green hat with a chameleon design stands behind a wooden fence with a rocky desert landscape in the background.

Smart Recipes For Your Type 1
Illustration of a hamburger with lettuce, tomato, cheese, pickles, a beef patty, and a sesame seed bun.

Breakfast

Lunch

A cartoon-style pizza with pepperoni slices, black olives, melted cheese, tomato sauce, and a golden crust.
A bag of potato chips with some potato chips spilled in front of it, set against a black background.

Dinner

Snacks

JDRF is the leading global funder of type 1 diabetes research. Your donation will help us get even closer to a cure to T1D. Your support matters so much to me, my wife, Stanley Legacy and especially to our son Ethan.

Donate Today

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    1. Count your carbs. Carbohydrates have the biggest impact on your blood sugar, so monitoring the amount of carbs in your meal plan can help keep blood sugar levels steady.

    2. Drink plenty of water. Water helps flush out the sugar in our system.

    3. Stay active. Exercising daily will help keep the blood sugar levels down.

    4. Eat more fiber. Fiber slows carb digestion and sugar absorption, thereby promoting a more gradual rise in blood sugar levels

    5. Monitor your blood glucose. You can do so at home using a portable blood glucose meter, which is known as a glucometer, or by using a continuous glucose Monitor (CGM)

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