Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1757 Tandem Kids: Kate
Host: Scott Benner
Date: February 1, 2026

Overview

In this "Tandem Kids" episode, host Scott Benner chats with 15-year-old Kate at the Friends for Life diabetes conference. Kate, a high school athlete and long-time type 1 diabetes (T1D) patient, opens up about her life with diabetes, her family's deep connections to T1D, embracing diabetes openly, and practical strategies for balancing active sports and self-care. The conversation spotlights the emotional journey of acceptance, misconceptions, family dynamics, and the impact of technology in diabetes management.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kate’s Background and Family T1D Connection

• Diagnosed with T1D at age 3; doesn’t remember life without it ([01:10]-[01:25]).
• Both her mother and 13-year-old brother also have type 1 diabetes.
• Family includes multiple siblings, and her younger brothers are 4 and 2 years old.
• Kate’s mom was diagnosed in her late teens or twenties ([02:14]-[02:34]).

“I kind of feels like I’ve had it my whole life because I don’t remember, like, what it is without.”
—Kate ([01:25])

2. Diagnosis Experience and Family Support

• Kate’s diagnosis story: Her mom recognized symptoms (frequent urination, thirst) while at Target ([01:36]-[01:47]).
• Family is knowledgeable and supportive; diabetes is part of daily life.

3. Managing Diabetes as an Athlete

• Plays field hockey and lacrosse, describes challenges of being an athlete with T1D ([02:57]-[03:07]).
• Doesn’t like leaving games for low blood sugar but knows when she must ([03:50]-[04:29]).
• Coaches are aware, friends help, and she always carries quick sugar snacks like gummies.

“I hate when I go low because … I don’t really take the initiative to go out ... I think it looks bad on me.”
—Kate ([03:50])

• Teammates, coaches, and friends are trained on diabetes emergencies (e.g., using nasal spray for severe lows) ([06:58]).

4. Embracing Diabetes Openly: From Hiding to Proud Display

• Originally hid diabetes; now “embracing it” and open to educating others ([05:35]-[06:18]).
• Chose Tandem T:Slim pump partly because she liked the look of the tubing and the visibility it brought ([04:54]-[05:32], [22:26]-[23:46]).
• Sees value in dispelling stereotypes and correcting misconceptions.

“I just like… I like showing it off.”
—Kate ([05:29])

“When people ask me questions, it kind of clarifies to them, like, what type one really is and not just what they think it is.”
—Kate ([05:44])

5. Experiences with Diabetes Technology

• Switched from Loop to T:Slim for improved access to real-time blood sugar data during sports ([05:04]-[05:19]).
• Briefly tried Beta Bionics iLet pump but disliked consistently high readings ([10:06]-[10:33]).
• Mom and brother both try different diabetes tech — family supports individualized choices ([10:43]-[11:01], [23:48]-[24:17]).

“Right before T Slim, I was actually gonna go on islet. And I was on that for a week and absolutely hated it. Cause my blood sugar was like 300 the whole time.”
—Kate ([10:10])

6. Tackling Stigma and Stereotypes

• Endures ignorant comments ("you get it from eating too much sugar"), corrects these with calm explanations ([06:02], [05:44]-[06:18]).
• Finds it important to create understanding, but confesses such comments can still hurt.

7. Friendships and Social Life

• Friends know about her diabetes, care without hovering; close friends know emergency protocols ([06:19]-[07:11]).
• Describes how her mood changes when low, especially around family ([07:16]-[07:46]).

8. Family Life, Support, and Sibling Dynamics

• Discusses sibling arguments, especially when both are low or stressed ([12:24]-[13:17]).
• The family sometimes struggles to distinguish whose blood sugar is actually dropping.
• Kate enjoys being the only girl among siblings for a special bond with her mom ([20:00]-[20:26]).

9. Parental Role Model and Emotional Moments

• Names her mother as her T1D hero and emotional support ([14:44]-[15:33]).

“Because she has diabetes and she always has my back, and she’s just, like, a bigger role model, and I just always look up to her.”
—Kate ([14:48])

• Mom's encouragement creates a positive home attitude toward diabetes, fostering resilience.

10. Philosophies on Living with Diabetes

• Advice to other kids: "Don’t let it take too much of your life. … Do things you really want to do without it getting in your way” ([20:36]-[21:00]).
• Talks about keeping diabetes “in the background” – managing it, but not letting it define her or her activities ([21:03]-[21:53]).
• Kate and Scott discuss daily optimism: “We wake up every day hopeful ... you can’t take the bad experience and drag it into the next day.”
  ([22:00]-[22:15]).

“I think one of the ways that my family deals well with it is that we wake up every day hopeful.”
—Scott Benner ([22:00])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Exchanges

• On Not Letting Diabetes Define You:
  “Don’t let it take too much of your life. Like, live your life how you want to. Don’t let it be such a block.” —Kate ([20:36])

• On Choosing a Pump:
  “I thought, like, having the tube would look cool, to be honest.” —Kate ([05:02])

• On Family Dynamics:
  “If you’re low and he’s had gluten, we’re fighting, right?” —Scott ([12:29])
  “Or if we’re both low. Not a good space.” —Kate ([12:30])

• On Acceptance and Advocacy:
  “I like embracing it so people can ask me questions about it and they know I have it because I like, I don’t want to hide it anymore.” —Kate ([22:54])

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |-------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:10 | Kate shares diagnosis story and family history with T1D | | 03:50 | Discussing lows and stigma in sports | | 05:02 | Motivation behind choosing Tandem T:Slim pump | | 06:02 | Importance of correcting public misconceptions | | 06:58 | Training friends to handle diabetes emergencies | | 10:06 | Discussion of switching between pumps and tech experiences | | 12:24 | Sibling rivalry and managing multiple T1Ds in the family | | 14:44 | Naming her mother as her T1D role model/hero | | 20:36 | Kate’s advice: don’t let diabetes block your life | | 21:03 | Detailed reflection on balancing self-care and enjoying life | | 22:00 | Scott and Kate on daily optimism and not “dragging bad experiences” forward| | 22:26 | Embracing visibility: tubing, discussion, and acceptance | | 23:31 | The turning point: when Kate started embracing diabetes openly |

Tone and Style

The episode is warm, conversational, and often humorous, mixing deep personal insight with the practical realities of life as a teen with diabetes. There are moments of honest emotion, particularly around family and acceptance, balanced by a shared sense of resilience and hope.

Summary Takeaways

• Embrace Your Story: Kate’s evolution from wanting to hide T1D to educating others shows how acceptance can empower and build resilience.
• Tech Can Be Personal: Technology needs vary; finding what fits your lifestyle can make diabetes more manageable.
• Let Life Lead: Kate’s main message—don’t let diabetes stop you from living fully—resonates as advice for both T1Ds and anyone facing a chronic challenge.
• Support Matters: Knowledgeable, compassionate family and friends make a major difference in well-being.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode offers a genuine, heartening look at the realities and attitudes of a teen living boldly with type 1 diabetes—a mix of humor, practical advice, advocacy, and hope. Kate’s story, grounded in family experience and personal growth, will resonate with anyone interested in overcoming obstacles and living authentically.