Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes

Host: Stacey Simms
Guest: Brian Foster (T1D Dad, Diabetes Educator, Triathlete)
Episode: A T1D Dad’s Worst Fear: His Son’s Diagnosis. The Surprising Outcome? “It Made Me Calmer.”
Date: October 14, 2025

Overview

This episode explores the intersection of legacy, fear, and hope in the Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) community. Stacey interviews Brian Foster, a diabetes veteran (diagnosed at 7, now a parent) whose worst fear materialized: his youngest son was diagnosed at a similar age. Together, they delve into the emotional journey of confronting this diagnosis as a parent with T1D, the stark contrasts in diabetes care across generations, co-parenting after divorce, and the unique challenges and triumphs of managing diabetes as athletes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brian's Diagnosis Story – Childhood in the T1D "Dark Ages"

• Brian's vivid memory: Diagnosed at age 7, after a notable family trip to Disney World marked by frequent urination—"They actually bought a porta potty... because it was every 30 seconds I wanted to get out." (08:00)
• Diagnosis aftermath: After a dramatic roller skating incident and an emergency room visit, Brian learned he had T1D.
• Family history: No known Type 1 in the family, although his mother and aunt later developed Type 2.

2. The Dreaded Parent Diagnosis – Lightning Strikes Twice

• Living in fear: Brian openly discusses the anxiety many T1D adults have about their children being diagnosed—a "worst fear."
  • "After each one reached their eighth birthday, I would take a breath of relief... I have no idea why, but that was it." (11:00)
• Son's diagnosis: Ironically, his youngest, Owen, was diagnosed just after turning eight.
  • "He went through one night where he had peed the bed three times... it just didn't click until I was at work... then there was the finger snap, like, oh, oh, okay." (11:43)
  • Fortuitously, with their combined experience, they caught Owen's T1D early and avoided DKA.

3. Hospital Flashbacks – Then & Now

• Care environment comparison: The children's hospital decor and amenities today vs. decades ago.
  • “When I thought about it… I was just like, wow, he's not gonna wanna leave.” (14:18)
• Technology and comfort: Owen had a menu, room to himself, game consoles. Brian reminisced about sharing a hospital room “with a guy that was probably 80 years old that was yelling the whole time."

4. Diabetes Tools Across Generations

• Then: One daily shot, urine test sticks, boiling needles.
  • "My nurse told me how lucky I was because we no longer had to boil our needles." (16:50)
  • First glucometers were "about the size of a VHS tape." (17:27)
• Now: CGMs, pumps within the first week home, and access to data sharing and support.
  • Owen started on a CGM almost immediately; within a week, he was on a Tandem pump.
  • Early, expedited tech access partly due to family and professional connections.

5. Co-Parenting with T1D in Two Households

• Divorced, both diabetes educators:
  • "That's one thing that we have done well, is aside from the other stuff... we both want the best for them medically, and that seems to center us." (20:02)
• Communication regimes:
  • "It's really just texting... and we might make small changes to his settings, but for the most part, we're letting Nemours drive the train." (20:41)
  • The clinic's portal sends updates to both parents—a helpful tool for consistent co-parenting.

6. Sports, Endurance, and Type 1

• Brian's athletic background: Lifetime endurance athlete (running, triathlon), now largely focused on ultra races.
  • "I used to qualify for Boston every year... I've done nine in a row." (30:26)
• Diabetes management evolution: Old methods without real-time data, using visual test strips and lots of guesswork for exercise-induced BG swings.
  • “We called NPH ‘Not Particularly Helpful’….” (23:03)
• Contemporary advice:
  • "The software we have now is fantastic... I so wish I'd had something like that when I was a kid." (24:48)
  • Importance of trend data, logging activity, building experience over time.
  • Endurance nutrition: small, consistent fueling works best (e.g., "Missy Foy... took small packs of goo... every seven or eight minutes"). (27:57)
  • Carry backup food and a credit card: "I've hammered through all the glucose... but in my area, there are enough Wawas that I can stop." (29:59)

7. How the Second Diagnosis Changed Brian

• Emotional impact—unexpected calm:
  • "I find very often that I'm having to calm down because he's calm, if that makes sense. We balance out each other well." (34:27)
  • His son’s resilience became his own—he learned from Owen.
• Guilt and Blame:
  • "There's a lot." (34:08)
• Parenting humbling moments:
  • After inadvertently complimenting only Owen’s resilience, Owen promptly bragged to his siblings—"That was supposed to be like a pinky diabetes, blood pact. Nope... I'm going to turn right around and tell Peyton and Kendall." (36:21)

8. Diabetes Management Mindset Shifts

• Personal transformation:
  • "It’s actually, I think, made me calmer about some situations... I used to be very ‘My blood sugar is over 200, I gotta fix it.’ And now I’m a little more careful, just like him." (38:08)
• Learning to trust technology: Brian was wary of automated pumps but learned to adapt rates for Owen’s activity (“I actually have a basal rate set called ‘trampoline’”).

9. Advocacy and Community Resources

• Support is out there:
  • Communities like Diabetes Sports Project, Team Novo Nordisk, and online groups provide essential connection for both competitive and casual athletes. (33:01)
• Professional journey: Brian had roles at Animus Pumps and the American Diabetes Association, seeking new ways to make a difference.

Notable Quotes

• Fear and Relief as a Parent:
  “After each one reached their eighth birthday, I would take a breath of relief… and Owen turned 8, and I breathed that sigh of relief. And what do you know? Two weeks later…” (11:00) — Brian

• Generational Perspective:
  “Honestly, when I was… diagnosed… I was sharing a room with a guy that was probably 80 years old… now, his room was in beautiful colors… He got the room to himself… a game console.” (13:41) — Brian

• Collaboration in Diabetes Parenting:
  “We both know what bad care looks like. We know what the repercussions are. And I do think that’s one thing we do very well together… we work together to make sure he’s taken care of.” (20:02) — Brian

• Approach to Endurance Sports:
  “Every day is different… But again, I think having that book of experiences in your back pocket helps you to figure out what’s going on.” (24:48) — Brian

• On Learning from His Son:
  “I find very often I’m having to calm down because he’s calm, if that makes sense. We balance out each other well.” (34:27) — Brian

• Unexpected Gifts:
  “It’s actually, I think, made me calmer about some situations… I used to be very ‘my blood sugar is over 200, I gotta fix it’… now I’m a little more careful, just like him.” (38:08) — Brian

• Why Share?
  “I think overall, people with diabetes want to share their story. They want to be able to talk to someone else who gets it. And you’re giving people a platform to do just that.” (39:57) — Brian

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Brian’s Diagnosis Story: 07:46–10:32
• Diagnosing Owen & Parental Fears: 10:36–12:27
• Hospital Experiences: Then & Now: 12:38–15:08
• Generational Changes in Diabetes Tools: 16:33–18:28
• Co-Parenting Diabetes: 20:02–21:29
• Endurance Sports & T1D Tips: 22:06–32:16
• Activity Nutrition and Glucose Management: 25:55–29:59
• Dealing with the Second Diagnosis: 33:42–35:37
• Learning from His Son & Parenting Realities: 34:27–36:51
• Calmer Parenting Post-Diagnosis: 38:08
• Community, Advocacy, and Conclusion: 39:03–40:17

Memorable Moments

• Parental Humor and Humility: Brian’s anecdote about giving Owen a “secret” confidence boost, only for him to immediately brag to his siblings: “That was supposed to be like a pinky diabetes, blood pact. Nope…” (36:21)
• Hospital Flashback: Brian marveling at the drastic improvement in the pediatric hospital environment—a tangible sign of progress for T1D families.
• Owen’s Resilience Shaping Brian: Brian credits his own sense of calm and balance to his son’s personality and attitude.

Resources Mentioned

• Brian’s Blog: My Sweet Hat Trick (linked in show notes)
• Community Resources: Diabetes Sports Project, Team Novo Nordisk, various Facebook groups
• Clinic System: Nemours (for shared parent communication)
• Endurance Fueling Tips: Reference to Missy Foy, first T1D woman to qualify for Olympic marathon trials

Tone and Takeaways

This episode weaves empathy, humor, and practical experience into an insightful conversation about family, fear, and adaptation. Both host and guest bring warmth and candor to a topic that’s often left unsaid: what happens when a parent's worst fear—passed-on T1D—comes true? The answer, in Brian's case: “It made me calmer.” His journey reflects the resilience of families, the value of experience (both clinical and lived), and the radical improvements in T1D management tools and culture.

For more info, athlete interviews, or to connect with Brian, check the show notes at diabetes-connections.com.