#1747 Tandem Kids: Adelaine

Summary

Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1747 Tandem Kids: Adelaine (Jan 25, 2026)
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Adelaine (10-year-old with Type 1 Diabetes)
Setting: Friends for Life conference, Orlando, Florida

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Episode Overview

This episode features a heartwarming and insightful interview with Adelaine, a 10-year-old who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in January 2024. Scott and Adelaine discuss her diagnosis story, adjusting to life with diabetes, her experience with the Tandem Mobi insulin pump, connecting with others at the Friends for Life conference, and the everyday realities of growing up bold with insulin. Throughout, the tone is conversational, supportive, and encouraging—with plenty of honest moments reflecting both challenges and small victories.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Adelaine’s Diagnosis Story

[01:13 - 03:01]

• Diagnosed in January 2024 after developing Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA).
• Symptoms included feeling “really sick,” inability to keep food down, excessive thirst, and frequent urination.
• Hospitalized for five days following diagnosis.
  • Quote:
    “Well, I got into DKA and I was, like, really sick. And then at like 1am in the morning, I went to the hospital, the ambulance, and then right away the paramedics knew ... but they couldn't say it for sure.” – Adelaine [01:27]

2. Early Diabetes Management

[03:28 - 04:08]

• Started with injections and quickly transitioned to using a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM).
• Became aware of insulin pumps through observing other students at her school.
• Decided herself, over time, to pursue getting an insulin pump.

3. Integrating Technology: Choosing the Tandem Mobi

[05:20 - 05:54]

• Adelaine uses the Tandem Mobi insulin pump, chosen for its innovative features and convenience (“the tubing I can put on my pants”).
• Liked that it was one of the newer models and found it fit her needs well.
  • Quote:
    “I think the main reason was because, like, the tubing I can put on my pants is like that. And it’s one of the more newer ones.” – Adelaine [05:44]

4. Social Life and Diabetes at School

[06:02 - 07:25]

• Several peers at school also use diabetes tech; some use the same pump.
• Other students frequently ask what her CGM is.
  • Quote:
    “They end up asking me because they see it on my arm, my Dexcom, and I’m like, ‘oh, what’s on your arm?’ … I’ll try to explain … and then they just basically say, ‘okay.’ And they walk away not knowing anything.” – Adelaine [06:28]
• She feels proud rather than self-conscious about her diabetes technology.
• Closest friends are more aware and informed, and would know how to help in an emergency.

5. Building Independence and Resilience

[07:33 - 08:55]

• No sleepovers yet, but hopes to build more independence as she grows.
• Attended a music camp where she was the only person with diabetes, felt accomplished managing her blood sugars alone.
  • Quote:
    “There wasn’t really, like, anybody there that really had type 1 diabetes. And so to be able to do …” – Adelaine [08:04]

6. Coping and Confidence

[09:01 - 09:10]

• Good relationship with her parents; feels supported without being “bothered.”
• Relies on herself and family equally for management.

7. Favorite Snacks & Tips for Lows

[09:13 - 10:25]

• Favorite low snacks: Smarties (especially pink/red), fruit snacks, gummies; prefers Smarties for faster effect.
• Learns from Scott that chewing gummies longer helps quicken sugar absorption.

8. Everyday Life Outside Diabetes

[10:25 - 15:00]

• Discusses interest in pets (would love a corgi named Mirabel or Biscuit).
• Looks up to public figures with diabetes, like Riley Arnold from “Dancing with the Stars,” seeing them as models of possibility.
• Shares musical interests: will play violin at school (never played before), enjoyed African drums and ukulele at summer camp.
• Notices blood sugar rises with excitement or anxiety, stays steadier when calm.

9. Learning and Family Teamwork

[13:48 - 14:36]

• Most recent A1C was 6.2—a point of pride.
• Both parents contribute equally to her care; nighttime tasks typically handled by her dad.
• Family attended endocrinologist visits together, benefitted from diabetes education sessions—learn by “just listening to the doctor and putting it into play.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I was just basically like ... because it was more—it wasn’t, it was a music camp, so it wasn’t like that too, exercising, but it kind of was. And so to be able to handle my blood sugars while having to do a lot of other things, too.” – Adelaine on being independent at music camp [08:29]
• “Are you, like ... is it a thing you try to hide or are you proud about it?”
  “No, I’m proud of it.” – Scott & Adelaine [06:44]
• “There are been—gosh. I know a guy named Chris. Right. And he is an Olympic skier and he ... he’s been in the Olympics four times with diabetes. ... I think that most people who have success with diabetes know how to handle their settings and make changes when they need them.” – Scott [12:31, 13:16]
• “Well, we all know a lot, what you’re supposed to be doing.” – Adelaine, on learning together with her family [14:19]
• On the difference emotional states make:
  “Yeah. I feel like [my blood sugar] goes higher if I’m excited or scared, but when I’m more, like calm and stuff like that, I feel like it can stay more.” – Adelaine [15:22]
• Playful moment discussing getting a dog:
  • Scott: “Can you name it, Scott, please? ... when they’re looking at that dog ... now we got a dog. ... you, like here, Scott. And they’ll be reminded of it the whole time. It’s not a good name, is it, for a dog?” [10:41]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | | ------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------- | | 01:13 | Adelaine introduces herself, shares diagnosis story | | 03:28 | Discusses initial diabetes management (needles, CGM) | | 05:20 | Selecting and starting the Tandem Mobi pump | | 06:28 | Interactions at school, responding to CGM curiosity | | 07:33 | Independence and building trust with friends | | 08:04 | Attending camp, managing diabetes away from home | | 09:13 | Favorite low snacks and strategies | | 10:25 | Pet talk—wants a corgi | | 12:20 | Role models with Type 1 Diabetes (Riley Arnold, Olympian Chris) | | 13:48 | Discusses A1C and family teamwork | | 14:45 | Musical interests—starting violin | | 15:22 | Blood sugar fluctuations with emotions |

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Tone and Takeaways

The conversation is open, honest, and encouraging—illustrating both the normalcy and uniqueness of growing up with Type 1. Adelaine’s perspective brings attention to the value of community (both in-person and via role models), the benefits of modern diabetes technology, the learning curve faced by both kids and families, and how confidence and pride can outshine fear. Scott’s empathetic style and humor create a comfortable space where young voices are truly heard.

Main message:
Living well with diabetes is possible—through knowledge, support, self-advocacy, and, most importantly, a willingness to be bold with insulin.

Transcript

[A]

I attended my first ever Friends for Life conference in July of 2025. And while I was there, I interviewed eight children of various ages, all who wear a tandem pump. I want to thank Tandem Diabetes for sponsoring this short episode of the Juice Box podcast. Check them [e-mail] juicebox nothing you hear on the Juice Box podcast should be considered advice, medical or otherwise. Always consult a physician before making any changes to your healthcare plan. The episode you're about to listen to is sponsored by TandemMobi. The impressively small insulin pump. Tandem Mobi features Tandem's newest algorithm, Control IQ Technology. It's designed for greater discretion, more freedom, and improved time and range. Learn more and get started [e-mail] Chandra Juice Box.

[B]

So we are here in Orlando, Florida at Friends for Life. Why don't you tell me your name?

[C]

Adeline.

[B]

Adeline, how old are you?

[C]

10.

[B]

10. Okay. You have type one diabetes?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah. When were you diagnosed?

[C]

Last year? 2020. January 2024.

[B]

2024. Okay. Can you tell me what happened? Like, how did you figure out you had diabetes?

[C]

Well, I got into DKA and I was, like, really sick. And then at like 1am in the morning, I went to the hospital, the ambulance, and then right away the paramedics knew that what I had, but they couldn't say it for sure.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And then the er, they made it for sure.

[B]

And then were you sick for a long time before that day?

[C]

It had been a little bit off and on, but from that week, that week where I did go to the hospital, it was more.

[B]

You started to feel sick. Were you just laying around and felt yucky?

[C]

Yeah, and I couldn't keep anything down and I just wanted to keep drinking water.

[B]

You were super thirsty. Yeah. Can I tell you a story? One time a lady came on. She was like an adult with type one. She was 30 years old. And. And she told me that her mom told her that the way they diagnosed her with type 1 diabetes, she was a toddler, like, you know, like crawled and could stand up a little bit but didn't walk. Well, they found her drinking out of the toilet. That's how thirsty the little baby was, like. And couldn't ask for drinks or anything. Like, did you feel that thirsty?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. So what, were you just constantly drinking?

[C]

Yeah. And then I had to go to the bathroom a lot. And then it was like I was full of water. But then I keep. I was wanting to drink more.

[B]

Did your parents notice? Did somebody say, why are you drinking so Much water?

[C]

Well, not really with bother, but I couldn't eat anything, and it was like I had been losing weight and stuff like that. So they figured that out.

[B]

Figured it out pretty quickly. And then how long were you in the hospital for?

[C]

I think it was five days.

[B]

Okay. All right. How old are you now?

[C]

Ten.

[B]

Ten years old. Do you play sports?

[C]

No.

[B]

No. So being in the play is your activity, right?

[C]

Yeah. I also do palm at my school, but that's kind of. That ends, like, near December.

[B]

Wait, what? What is it?

[C]

Palm. It's like cheer, but but with dancing.

[B]

Oh, okay.

[C]

And. But that ends around December to make room for the play. Okay, so.

[B]

So when you leave the hospital, did they give you, like, needles, pens?

[C]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure.

[B]

Yeah. Did you get a cgm?

[C]

Not right away, but, like, I think it was, like, a couple weeks later, maybe.

[B]

Okay, and then who brings up getting an insulin pump? Is that something your parents thought about or is it a thing you thought about?

[C]

I feel like it was more a thing that I thought about for a little longer.

[B]

How did you learn about them?

[C]

Well, knowing, like, there's other people in my school that are in my grade that have pumps.

[B]

Oh, okay.

[C]

They have diabetes. And so it kind of came up, and I was just thinking about it because it would be easier than having to take shots all the time.

[B]

So you have close friends that have Type one?

[C]

Well, not close friends, but people in my grade.

[B]

People who you've seen with them, and that made you feel comfortable enough to ask them if it was something they liked or just to think about. Maybe this is something I like to think about it. How does it feel walking around here this week and seeing so many people wearing pumps and CGMs?

[C]

It feels like. I don't know. Like, it feels like that. Like, there's so many. So. Like, it feels like that. Not that I'm not normal anyways, but it feels like that I'm more like kind of like.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, last night. I know what you mean. Last night I went to dinner and there were three girls sitting next to me. They were probably, like, in their early 20s, and they were pretty clearly not related, but they all knew each other really well, and. And I didn't notice anything else about them except for that when we sat down. And then when they got done and stood up, each of them had a CGM on their arm. And I got very emotional thinking about my daughter and how she has a few friends who have Type one. And it means a lot to me that she knows those people. So okay. So you meet these. You know, you see these people at school, you think, all right, they've got this stuff. Let me ask about it too. You go to your parents, say, I want to get a pump. How do you end up getting. Well, what pump do you have?

[C]

The tandem Moby.

[B]

You have the Moby. How did you decide to get that one?

[C]

I think once we, like. Once we knew more about, like, how to handle Type 1 IVs and everything, I think we were all more ready to actually get the pump.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Because, like, to know instead of getting it straight away when you don't know as much.

[B]

Is there something about the Moby that made you think that's the one I should have?

[C]

I think because I think the main reason was because, like, the tubing I can put on my pants is like that. And it's one of the more newer ones.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

So. Yeah.

[B]

How are you liking it?

[C]

I like it a lot.

[B]

Cool. That's awesome. Do any of your friends at school have it, or are they all wearing different ones?

[C]

One. One person at school has the tandem.

[B]

Do you guys kind of have, like, a little. Do you, like, fist bump or stuff when you see each other? Not really. It's not that cool. I gotcha. So tell me this. Like, you. You're at school, you're seeing kids a lot. Some of them have type 1. Most of them don't. Do other kids ask you about diabetes a lot? Yeah. What do they end up asking you the most?

[C]

They end up asking me because they see it on my arm, my Dexcom, and I'm like, oh, what's on your arm?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And I'll try to explain it, kind of explain to them, and then they just basically say, okay. And they walk away not knowing anything.

[B]

Are you. Are you, like. Is it a thing you try to hide or are you proud about it?

[C]

No, I'm proud of it.

[B]

Yeah. That's awesome. That's really cool. Do your friends and you ever talk about diabetes?

[C]

Like, people, you know, my closest ones know more about it because I've told them more about it. But sometimes my other friends, they kind of. They ask questions, and I try to explain it to them, but they probably don't understand the thing I'm saying.

[B]

But how do you decide who to share it with and who not to?

[C]

I feel like more like. Of my closer friends, like, the ones that I feel like would actually understand it more and would actually like.

[B]

So when you're hanging out with friends, if you needed something, would they know how to help you?

[C]

Some of Them?

[B]

Yeah, some of them would, you know. Can you picture the ones in your head right now that you would trust? Yeah. Have you been on a sleepover yet?

[C]

Um, not yet, no. Yeah. No.

[B]

How do you think you'll. How do you think you'll handle a sleepover?

[C]

I don't know exactly yet, but I feel like when I'm older, especially, like, I will be able to handle on my own a little bit more better than I can now.

[B]

I think so, too. Has having diabetes taught you anything? Like, is. Do you have any big revelations, like, things you've figured out about the world or yourself or anything? Have you been proud of yourself?

[C]

Yeah, to be able to do. I was in a play this year, too, and I. This summer I went to a music camp. There wasn't really, like, anybody there that really had type 1 diabetes. And so to be able to do.

[B]

That felt like you were really accomplishing something. Right. Because all those other kids, they just showed up and did their thing. And what are the things that you had to do for yourself while you were at camp that you were proud of?

[C]

That I had, like. I had to, like, keep a check on my blood sugar. And then it was like. It was. I was like. Was just basically like. Because it was more. It wasn't. It was a music camp, so it wasn't like that too, exercising, but it kind of was. And so to be able to handle my blood sugars while having to do a lot of other things, too.

[B]

Your parents nervous when you went to camp?

[C]

I. I think a little bit, yeah. But I don't think too much.

[B]

Gotcha. Do you think anything has changed in your relationship with your parents since you've had type one? Are they bothering you a whole bunch about stuff?

[C]

No, not really. That's good.

[B]

What's your favorite low snack?

[C]

Probably Smarties or just like, fruit snacks.

[B]

Smarties or fruit snacks. Do you have a favorite color of the Smarties?

[C]

Probably the more pinkish reddish one.

[B]

Do you ever mix the two colors together to get a different flavor?

[C]

No, I've never done that.

[B]

You should try it. They go back and forth. I don't want to say, but I could give you some good mixtures later. And gummies, right? Okay. During the day, gummies at night. When do you use them?

[C]

Just whenever. Because I normally use Smarties more because it works faster. But gummies, like, they help like. Like if, like, you're almost gonna go low, but you haven't yet to have a little something. Yeah, but.

[B]

Yeah, my daughter uses gummy bears. Like, they're Good. Do you know why that works so well? Wanna hear something boring? Okay. When you're chewing up the gummy bears, the insides of your cheeks are absorbing the glucose and it acts faster than if you swallowed it and it goes in your stomach. So actually, the longer you chew it, the quicker it'll impact your blood sugar. It's a little tip that you can use while you're eating gummy bears in the middle of the night. Do you have any pets?

[C]

No. Actually, no.

[B]

Do you want a pet?

[C]

Yeah, kind of. Yeah.

[B]

Awesome. Let's get it worked out now because your parents are here. Like, what kind of pet would you like? I can probably make this happen for you.

[C]

Probably. Like a corgi. Good dog.

[B]

A dog.

[A]

Mom, dad, can we get a dog?

[B]

Look at you. You're getting a dog. Can you name it, Scott, please? Because I want your parents to remember when they're looking at that dog and they're thinking, like, I did not want a dog, and a guy told the kid he could have a dog and now we got a dog. You know what I mean? Like, and then you, like here, Scott. And they'll be reminded of it the whole time. It's not a good name, is it, for a dog? What would you call your dog?

[C]

I don't know. It depends if it's a boy or a girl. But if it's a girl, I like the name Mirabel.

[B]

Mirabel, nice.

[C]

Now, if it's a boy, I do like Biscuit and like that type of name.

[B]

Yeah. Like a doggy name. Yeah. So it seems like you've been thinking about this for a while.

[C]

Yeah, kind of.

[B]

Have you mentioned it to your parents before?

[C]

I mean, kind of, but not really.

[B]

How's the time? You know what I'm saying? Like, they're going to be on a big, like, oh, we just got back from. From Florida, went to Disney and we had such a good time. Right? Yeah. Awesome. What color do they only come in? One color? Do they come in one color? Do Corgis have a lot of different colors?

[C]

Do you know they're normally like orange and white, but I think they can have a little bit more of, like a brown black color, too.

[B]

Yeah. Do you think you're ready to take care of a dog?

[C]

I think, yeah.

[B]

So, yeah. My daughter's 21. She's not ready to do it yet. She has a little puppy, sick of French bulldog. And yesterday evening I called her, I was like, how you doing? She's like, I'm so tired. I was like, what are you tired from she's like taking care of this dog all day. And I was like, yeah, it's a lot of work. So anyway, do you have. I know you've only had type one for a little while, but is there, like somebody out in the world that has type one who you kind of look at and think not maybe, like, I don't know if a hero, but like something to look up to?

[C]

I don't know. I do like we watch Dancing with the Stars and I do like Riley Arnold.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Boys liked her.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

She just seems like a good person, too.

[B]

Does it make you feel like that's another example of something I could easily do if I wanted to? Right. That's awesome. There are been. Gosh. I. I know a guy named Chris. Right. And he is an Olympic skier and he does like that cross country skiing. He's retired now, but he's been in the Olympics four times with diabetes. Like, just skiing across, like, I don't know how he does what he's doing. Also, you're from the south, so you've probably never even seen snow, but snow, do you know what it is?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You do know what snow is. Have you ever seen it in person?

[C]

Yeah, a couple times, but it's rare.

[B]

Yeah, but can you imagine racing across it on sticks, on your feet? No, that's ridiculous. Right? Yeah. And he just does it like it's nothing. Is there some.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

He's in such good shape. It's crazy. He's. Anyway, it's. This is neither here nor there. I think that most people who have success with diabetes know how to handle their settings and make changes when they need them. Because things change all the time, right? It's.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, some days. What? Some days it all works out really well. The next day you're like, what's happening? And then you look back and you think, oh, maybe I was more active today or I didn't sleep as much last night. There's a lot of different things that can impact it, so it's smart to be able to, like, make your adjustments. You've learned that already. Yeah. Do you know what your A1C is?

[C]

Last time I think it was 6.2.

[B]

That's awesome. Good for you. Who helps you more with your type 1? Your mom or your dad?

[C]

I don't know because I feel like it's pretty equal.

[B]

Yeah, that's awesome.

[C]

I don't know.

[B]

Yeah. So you don't know which one you're gonna see at nighttime?

[C]

Normally it's my dad.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

At nighttime. But I don't know?

[B]

No, I feel like it's pretty equal. It's pretty equal. And now how does it work? Do you know a bunch about it and they know a bunch about it or do they know a lot? They're teaching you. Are you guys all learning together?

[C]

Well, we all know a lot, what.

[B]

You'Re supposed to be doing.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

That's awesome. How did you learn?

[C]

When we went, I mean, was going to the endocrinologist and like, like diabetes trainers, especially at first, and then with the pump with like a special person at this time.

[B]

Nice. So you just listen to the doctor and you're putting it into play and it's working. I didn't ask you. What, what. What instrument do you play?

[C]

Oh, well, this year, fifth grade, does strings up the high school, and so I'm gonna play the violin. And then at camp we played like the African drums.

[B]

Really?

[C]

And the ukuleles.

[B]

Nice. Have you ever played the violin before?

[C]

No.

[B]

No. You excited to do it? Yeah. I wanted to play the cello when I was little, but they didn't have a cello, so I got a saxophone and I didn't like that, so I never got a chance. But I love the cello. Do you like listening to violin music?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. Does it make you relaxed?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Do you notice, does your blood sugar change if you're relaxed or excited or scared?

[C]

Yeah. I feel like it goes higher if I'm excited or scared, but when I'm more, like calm and stuff like that, I feel like it can stay more.

[B]

You're going to learn all kinds of stuff like that as you get older, and it's going to help you. While you're taking care of everything, is there anything you want to ask me?

[C]

Don't think so.

[B]

Is there anything I forgot to ask you that you want to tell me?

[C]

I don't think so, No.

[B]

I hope you have a great time today. I really appreciate you talking to me. Thank you so much.

[C]

You're welcome. Thank you.

[A]

The podcast you just enjoyed was sponsored by Tandem Diabetes Care. Learn more about Tandem's newest automated insulin delivery system, Tandem Moby with Control IQ [e-mail] There are links in the show notes and [e-mail] if you'd like to hear about diabetes management in easy to take in bits, check out the Small Sips. That's the series on the Juice Box podcast that listeners are talking about like it's a cheat code. These are perfect little bursts of clarity. One person said, I finally understood things I've heard a hundred times. Short, simple, and somehow exactly what I needed. People say Small Sips feels like someone pulling up a chair, sliding a cup across the table, and giving you one clean idea at a time. Nothing overwhelming, no fire hose of information, just steady, helpful nudges that actually stick. People listen in their car, on walks, or while they're actually bolusing anytime that they need a quick shot of perspective. And the reviews, they all say the same thing. Small sips makes diabetes make sense. Search for the juice box Podcast Small Sips wherever you get audio.