#1757 Tandem Kids: Kate

Summary

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.

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]

Hey. How are you?

[C]

Good. How are you?

[B]

Excellent, thank you. What's your name?

[C]

Kate.

[B]

Kate, how old are you?

[C]

15.

[B]

15. How long have you had type 1 diabetes?

[C]

Since I was 3. So 12 years.

[B]

3. I like that you did the math for me. I didn't have to do it. Thank you. 12 years. Does it feel like it's been that long?

[C]

No, I kind of feels like I've had it my whole life because I don't remember, like, what it is without.

[B]

Yeah. Do you remember anything about being diagnosed?

[C]

No, I don't.

[B]

Not at all. Huh. Do people tell you about it?

[C]

My mom told me I was in Target when I figured out, like, apparently, like, I was being like, I had to pee a lot. I was very thirsty. And then she just, like, kind of figured.

[B]

So your mom figured it out at Target?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Right. So you're like. Does she tell you. How does she know other people that have type one?

[C]

Well, she had it. She's had. I don't know how long she's had it, but she has it, and so has my brother.

[B]

Oh, so your mom has type one?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Your brother is how old?

[C]

He's 13.

[B]

How long has he had it for?

[C]

He's had antibodies since three. But he was diagnosed recently? Yeah, like a couple years.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Like maybe four.

[B]

You don't know how old your mom was when she was diagnosed?

[C]

She was in her 20s or late teens.

[B]

And how old is she now? Interesting. And your grandmother's phone number. Okay. All right. So you don't. Your mom was probably in her late teens or 20s?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Right. And you don't know how old she is now?

[A]

No.

[B]

Is she in her 40s? Her 50s?

[C]

She's in her 40s.

[B]

You sure?

[C]

Yes. 43?

[B]

Yeah. I mean, are you asking me or are you telling me. She's 43. You're definitely 15, though, right? How can you be certain? Do you know your phone number?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Okay. All right.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Okay. So you don't remember anything about being diagnosed?

[C]

No.

[B]

All right, that's fair. Do you do any activities at school or sports or anything like that?

[C]

Yes. I've been playing field hockey and lacrosse. I've played lacrosse since COVID and then field hockey. I just started two years ago.

[B]

Okay. Lacrosse?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Field hockey?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Can I ask a question?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Wouldn't it be easier if they made the stick longer?

[C]

Yeah. I'm too tall for field hockey.

[B]

Why? I don't understand. Because it's always like this, right? Yeah. Does it? I mean, right, Everybody, like, why is the field hockey stick not longer?

[C]

It hurts my back.

[B]

Right, but have you ever gotten whack with a ball?

[C]

I. I mean, like, on my shins and stuff, but I have shin guards, so.

[B]

But it would hurt otherwise.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

You ever seen anybody take one in the head?

[C]

Yes. That, like, just happened, like, three weeks ago. She got hit right here, and she had to go get stitches.

[B]

Was there crying?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Did you cry? I would have cried.

[C]

No.

[A]

No.

[B]

I would have been like, there's so much. Please stop. What's it like playing with type one? What do you have to do to get through the game?

[C]

It's hard. I hate when I go low because I don't really take the initiative to go out because, like, especially when we're running as a team because we're, like, a consequence. I'm always like, oh, if I go out, then, like, I. Like, I should be running because it's a consequence for the team. So if I go out, like, I think it looks bad on me.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

So sometimes.

[B]

So you're not taking care of your lows because you're afraid?

[C]

No, no, I do.

[B]

No, but. But. But it's. You're not as in, like, you don't want to go off the field.

[C]

Yeah, I don't want to.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

But I do.

[B]

How often does do. Does that happen, though, while you're playing? It's a lot of running, right?

[C]

Yeah. That's, like, the whole game. I don't go low, like, a lot, but when I do, I don't like to come out.

[B]

Okay. All right, so what do you do?

[C]

Well, I just, like, signal my coaches, and they know, so I just come off. I eat a pack of gummies, and I try to go back in as soon as possible.

[B]

You can't, like, run down the sideline and grab something like.

[C]

No.

[B]

Runners are Doing the thing?

[C]

I wish.

[B]

Does your mom come to the games?

[C]

Yeah, she comes.

[B]

She scream and yell. Like, happy screaming?

[C]

Yeah, she's cheering.

[B]

Like, she's not yelling at you?

[C]

No, no.

[B]

Do better, Kate. It's not like that. Right? She's like, yay, Kate. What. What. What pump are you using?

[C]

T Slim.

[B]

T Slim. What made you get it?

[C]

I thought, like, having the tube would look cool, to be honest.

[A]

Really?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

All right. Okay.

[C]

So that was, like, the first thing. And then I also loved having, like, my blood sugar on me while playing. Cause I used to not have that. Cause I was on loop. So I would just have to feel low. And when for me to feel low, I get into the low 50s or 40s.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

So I want to catch that before that.

[B]

So you like the feedback on the screen?

[C]

Yes, I love it.

[B]

Awesome. You love it?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

All right, awesome.

[C]

But.

[B]

But going back to the other thing, you thought the tubing would look cool? Yes, Please walk me through that.

[C]

I don't know. I just like. I like showing it off.

[B]

You do?

[C]

Yes. I used to. Not actually.

[B]

How. How. What do you think changed that? So at one point you didn't want people to know your stuff, but now you want them to know. What do you think changed?

[C]

I, like. I don't know. I feel like just embracing it. So people know because there's, like. There's all those stereotypes. So 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.

[B]

So it's important for you that other people understand the reality of it. Why do you think that's important to you?

[C]

Because I've had the stereotype said, like, oh, you get it from eating too much sugar. This and this. And I don't let it affect me. But at the end of the day, it hurts because it's not the truth. So when I tell them that, they get clarification of what it really is. So hopefully they can stop saying those things.

[B]

Nice. Do you have a lot of friends?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Did they all know about your diabetes?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah. If somebody isn't interested in your diabetes, are you not interested in being their friend, or does it not.

[C]

I mean. I mean, I don't, like. I don't want them to say anything bad about diabetes, but, like, if, like, a lot of my friends just don't. They don't care that I have it. Like, not in the bad way, just in the good way. They're not just like, oh, like, can you eat this? Like, they're not worried about me. Like, yes, when I'm low, they are worried about me, but, like, it's not. Like, it's not in between the friendship, if that makes sense.

[B]

So you like that your friends understand it, that they're interested.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And that the people who maybe are not, like, super interested are still cool about it.

[C]

Yeah. Like, my close friends, they all understand what it is. And, like, I've told them how to use my nasal spray if I ever pass out, so they all know how to use it. When I'm low, they're very like, kate, stop. Like, stop what you're doing. Take a break. Even when I don't want to do.

[B]

That, do you get giddy or weird? Do they. How do they know you're low?

[C]

They. It beeps, so they hear that. And then when I'm super low, I can get kind of rude.

[B]

So you get rude?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Do you curse at people?

[C]

No.

[B]

No. But you're rude.

[C]

I can be. I can just have a little chip on my shoulder.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Do you know what's happening when it's happening?

[C]

I can feel when I'm low, but, like.

[B]

But you know what I'm saying? Like, right now you seem very pleasant. You're generally a pleasant person.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Right. So you're not being rude to me right now?

[C]

No.

[B]

If you started being rude to me, you would know.

[C]

I mean, it's only to my family, to be honest.

[B]

Oh, it's only just the people you love.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah. But do you. But while you're saying the words, do you know it's happening? Like, are you, like, I am being rude now or.

[C]

No, My mom's like, kate, you're low. Like, take a break.

[B]

We used to tell my daughter, we're gonna test your blood sugar, and if you're not low, you're in trouble.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know what I mean? Because I get the difference between it and just being a jerk. Right, Right. Okay. So you play a ton of sports. T. Slim helps you with that a lot.

[C]

Yes, a lot.

[B]

That's awesome. Okay. Do you have any other things? Every kid that's been here today played an instrument. Do you play an instrument?

[C]

No, I don't. I used to in fifth grade, though.

[B]

What'd you play?

[C]

The violin, maybe Violet. One of those two.

[B]

The violin, maybe, or the Violet.

[C]

They're like twins. I don't know which one.

[B]

I mean, I don't know.

[C]

It's the one that's deeper. I don't know which one that is.

[B]

What was it like, the last instrument left when you were kicking, probably. She gets stuck with it like you're just a cage. She doesn't look serious about this.

[C]

Probably.

[B]

Did you hate playing it?

[C]

Yes, I really did.

[B]

Did you hate the playing it? Did you hate the.

[C]

I just hated everything about it.

[B]

Everything about playing the violet, which I don't think is real. I feel like you've made that up.

[A]

But can someone look. Is a violet a real thing? No. Your mom looks incredibly embarrassed.

[B]

Hold on a second. Viola. Maybe it's that the viola, the violet.

[C]

Oh, there's two of them.

[B]

What's your grandmother's phone number? Yeah. Okay. All right, all right, all right. Do you know any famous people have type 1 diabetes that you look up to?

[C]

I mean. No. I mean, I know Charlotte, the gymnastics person.

[B]

I've talked to. I've interviewed Charlotte. She's awesome.

[C]

Yeah. Yeah, I. I mean, I look up to her.

[B]

She was. Wasn't she? Trampoline?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

I remember interviewing her and saying, like, you were in the Olympics for trampoline? Like, that's a thing. It was actually.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

She's awesome.

[C]

Yeah, she seemed really cool.

[B]

I spent a lot of time after I interviewed her, when we were done recording, talking to her and her girlfriend. Her girlfriend's, like, famous too, right? Like, she's like a gymnast. That's why you said gymnastics. I think it's. She's. She's. I think she's an Olympic gymnast.

[C]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

So I used to. I had her merch when she was in the Olympics.

[B]

You had a wire?

[C]

Her merch. She had, like.

[B]

Oh, she had bling. And you were.

[A]

You were.

[C]

I was rocking.

[B]

You were repping it. Yes, I was. What made you. So before tandem, did you use a different pump?

[C]

Yeah, I used loop.

[B]

You were looping. Why did you switch? Do you think.

[C]

It took a lot to switch? I think I really liked loop, but then I think I wanted something new. I didn't really know much about TSM at the time, so I was just like, why not give it a shot? And 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.

[B]

You didn't like islet, but you were. Look. So you were just looking for something different?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And then you tried something. Didn't like it, tried again. You're just very open.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Was your mom doing this? I'm stumbling on my words. Did your mom make this decision or was it you?

[C]

It was kind of like both of us. My mom wants the best for me, and she knows a lot about all the pumps, so she's not gonna put me on some pump that she won't work for me. So she kind of let me trial them, and if I liked them and she thought it was good for me, we kind of both agreed on that.

[B]

Nice. Well, that's interesting. Do you think. Did you, like, look at what other people were doing? Just look online.

[C]

I think my mom just threw the idea out, and I was just like, sure, why not?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

So look at.

[B]

Why do you have such a good personality? Like, why are you so friendly? What's going on? Were you raised well?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Do you think that that's just what she wants you to say, or do you really feel like you've. You've been raised well?

[C]

No, I have been raised well.

[B]

Okay. Because you were very, like, like, engaging and, like, fresh. You're, like, making a lot of eye contact with.

[C]

I'm shocked. I am. I'm really bad at eye contact.

[B]

No kidding. Me too. Did you say you had brothers and sisters?

[C]

Yes, I do.

[B]

And brother has type one. Mom has type.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Any other autoimmune stuff in your family? Somebody got a thyroid thing or celiac or anything like that?

[C]

So my brother Ryan, he. He would. His blood. Well, wait, I forget how it goes. He was gluten free, but he wasn't diagnosed with celiac. His blood test came back really high, so we just had him be on celiac, but he wasn't actually diagnosed. So he is gonna get scoped, I think, in a couple months and make sure it's for sure.

[B]

Does he have actual. What they call silent celiac, where he doesn't have any symptoms, or does he have symptoms?

[C]

He doesn't have symptoms. Apart from his blood sugar and his mood. You can see it in his mood when he has Gl, then.

[A]

Really?

[C]

Yeah, sometimes.

[B]

Interesting. So if you're low and he's had gluten, we're fighting, right?

[C]

Or if we're both low.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Not a good space.

[B]

Oh, no kidding.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

How do you. I'm so sorry, Mom.

[A]

If they're both low, how do you.

[B]

Decide which one to go to first?

[A]

Does one of.

[C]

Whoever is the lowest.

[A]

Is it whoever's lowest, or do you trust one of them over the other one? So you go to the.

[C]

I actually have had twice in their lives where I treated. Have you actually. Have I. Wait, do you think. Do you think I'm moody when I'm low? Okay, I was thinking straw.

[B]

So you're telling me that there's been.

[A]

A time where you've gone into Kate's room, jammed a juice box in her face, and then realized her brother was low. Not her.

[B]

That's an awesome story.

[A]

That's where you can come on the podcast whenever you want.

[B]

That's awesome. Oh, my God. So. And then she gets.

[A]

So now you're treating him. You got to come back in and give her insulin. And you're up for three hours after that. Just beating yourself up the whole time while.

[B]

Are you married?

[A]

While your husband's sound asleep.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I got you. I know how this all works. Awesome. You're very friendly.

[C]

Thanks.

[A]

Do people like her?

[B]

They do, right? Yeah. You're very likable. Do you know that about yourself?

[C]

I mean, I hope so.

[A]

No, no, no.

[B]

Stop it. Do you know that about yourself?

[C]

I don't know.

[B]

Wait, stop. Forget what you think people think. Like, when you think of yourself in the world, do you think I'm a friendly person? People like me?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. You like that about yourself?

[C]

Yeah, of course.

[B]

Okay. Do you take this attitude into your diabetes? Like, do you, like, gleefully pre bolus your meals without being. No. Does she yell at you all day long? Pre bolus. You have to pre bolus.

[C]

I'll, like, eat, like, dinner or lunch or something, and I'll go up high. And she's like, okay. Did you cover 10 minutes before? I'm like, I covered while I was eating.

[B]

While you were eating.

[A]

But do you pre bolus?

[B]

No, of course not. Nobody does. It's very hard to remember to do.

[A]

Yes, but.

[B]

So she doesn't pre bolus and she tells you to do it, Basically, they call it hypocrisy. You know that, right?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah. Do you ever throw it back in her face?

[C]

No, because I thought she actually pre bolused.

[B]

Oh, we've learned something today.

[A]

Hey, listen, the last kid's getting a.

[B]

Puppy out of me, so just be happy.

[A]

This is all that's happening right now.

[B]

Two kids ago. All right, let's slow down a second. We're having too much fun. You understand? We're not getting to the questions. You don't have a hero with diabetes. But you've met. But you had some. Charlotte. But you're. Look at you. Do you mean that?

[C]

I swear.

[B]

Say it again. Who's your hero?

[C]

My mom.

[B]

Why?

[C]

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.

[B]

Oh, you trying to make me cry? Well, Misty, now my family tells me that if one tear comes out, it's crying. I say it's getting welled up, but apparently that's not an agreeance to everybody. You really just made me feel very emotional.

[C]

Oh.

[B]

Oh.

[A]

Do you think it made your mom feel emotional?

[C]

Oh, you know that?

[A]

Do you know?

[B]

Yeah. Oh, look at this. It's so nice. I'm warm now. These are all the things that when I make the podcast, nobody sees where I'm, like, visually fanning myself, trying not to cry and stuff like that. It was so nice. Have you ever told her that before?

[C]

Yeah. I mean, when people ask me, like, in school and stuff, they're like, oh, write someone to, like, is your hero. I'll just, like, write to her.

[B]

Oh, that's really lovely.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You've made my day. Thank you. What are you doing here at the event? Are you, like. It's called Friends for Life. Do you come often or is this your first time?

[C]

So I've been to Florida last year, and then before that I've been to, like, their mini conferences, like around where they have them.

[B]

Yeah. Where are you from?

[C]

Pennsylvania.

[B]

Oh, stop. This is why we're getting along so well, where we're like. I'm from Philly.

[C]

I'm near the Hershey area in Harrisburg.

[B]

No kidding.

[C]

That area.

[B]

My son went to college out that way. Yeah. I don't want you all to know where my son went to college, but, like. Yeah, right out there. So this is interesting. You're right in the middle.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Eagles, Steelers.

[C]

What if I told you Ravens.

[B]

That's fine with me. It's right there, right?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Pirates, Phillies.

[C]

I don't know.

[B]

You don't care about baseball?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

All right. Do you want to go to college and take that stick and hit girls in college with it?

[C]

Lacrosse? Yes.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

I look to do that. Yeah, hopefully.

[B]

So we don't hit.

[C]

We don't hit them. We hit the goalie.

[B]

You whack like, a little bit, though, right?

[C]

I can. I can hit their stick.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

As long as they have it low enough.

[B]

Do you love it? Like, do you love, like, the hitting?

[C]

I mean, it's like the accomplishment of smacking the ball out of their stick and my coach cheering. So, yeah, that's what keeps me good.

[B]

Oh, so you're very competitive.

[A]

No.

[B]

Does your blood sugar go up while you're playing? Like, yeah, your adrenaline gets down.

[C]

I see that a lot, actually, right after the game.

[B]

Do you get a big drop off afterwards or does that after a little bit?

[C]

Like, I feel like right after the game, I'm like, double up. And it's like, really?

[B]

Wow.

[C]

But then I do come spiking down once I go to sleep.

[B]

So you are, like, competitive. That's how we figured out. My daughter was. We used to. When we. We learned that we had to bolus before a sporting event, if she felt competitive, if she felt it. So here's what would happen. We learned this during basketball. When she was, like, young, we'd show up at this, like, rec basketball game, and some days her blood sugar would shoot up, and some days it wouldn't. And so we finally figured out, like, a lot of trial and error. Like, eventually, the first thing we did was we just bolus no matter what.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And then if she started to get low, we just basically, we'd bolus the equivalent of a juice box that would stop the spike. But if she didn't need it, then we just, like, it was like, pre bolus in the juice box in all stage one. Then we figured out one day that she was super competitive, and if she got there and the girls on the other team look like little killers, that she got ramped up. But if she thought she was going to run them over, her blood sugar didn't go up. Like, that literally worked out. So then we'd show up. I feel bad saying this. We'd show up at the game, look at the other team. If they look like marshmallows, we didn't bolus. And if they look like killers, we'd give her insulin.

[C]

And that's really funny.

[B]

That actually works. Worked.

[C]

That's cool, though.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Marshmallow. Is marshmallows the way to say, like, soft?

[C]

I guess. Sure.

[B]

They just didn't look like they were gonna put up a fight.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Like their parents drug them to basketball.

[C]

Yeah. I get what that looks like.

[B]

Yeah. What kind? What do you want to do in college?

[C]

That's so hard to say. Like, I'm like. I was looking at, like, I love kids. I love. I have two younger brothers. One's four and one's two.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And I just love working with kids. But then it's. I. I volunteered a preschool, and I've seen how hard that is. I'm just like, it's draining, and it just kind of put a new perspective. Like, through my eyes, I'm like, do I really want to work with kids when I'm older?

[B]

You ever have a puppy?

[C]

I've had one.

[B]

I mean, he's older now, but it's hard too, right?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Kids are, like, a thousand times harder than that. And they yell at you sometimes. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. It's hard.

[C]

I get that with my brother.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yes. It's like, it's like arguing with like a 15 year old kid.

[B]

How old is he?

[C]

He's 4.

[B]

Why is it like arguing with a 15 year old? Because he doesn't give up.

[C]

First of all. He always gets his way. Mom.

[B]

Go ahead. Your mom's just tired, you know that, right?

[C]

Well, she's like, you're the bigger person. Why are you arguing with a four year old kid?

[B]

And I'm like, anytime she says something from now on, you should go. Why don't you pre Bolus.

[C]

I'm going to.

[B]

I know you are.

[C]

He just like, he just steps on my toes. It's like he just messes with me.

[B]

Yeah. On purpose.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. They have a lot of energy, like puppies.

[C]

I love them though.

[B]

Yeah. That's nice to hear.

[C]

Yes. I swear. I love all my brothers.

[B]

You're the only girl.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Is that. How do you feel? Like more of like. Because there's all boys around you. That make. Is it. Does it. Do you wish you had a sister? I guess.

[C]

No.

[B]

No.

[C]

So when there's a big age gap, obviously. So when my mom told us she was pregnant with the. With Leith, my four year old brother, I was like, oh, I wanted to be a girl. Like, come on, like girl. It wasn't. And then when Zade came around the two year old, I was like, no girl, no girl. I was like, I just want to. I like being the only girl. It's like, it's a special connection with my mom that I get to share.

[B]

That's a nice. Do you mean that you're not just trying.

[C]

I swear I'm here. I swear.

[B]

You have this thing.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay. If you. So you have three people in your house have type one, what's a great piece of advice for another kid with type 1 diabetes?

[C]

Don't let it like take too much of your life. Like live your life how you like, want to. Don't let it be such a block.

[A]

It.

[C]

Yes. It's hard to do that, but I sometimes just try to like, not ignore it, but just like do things I really want to do without it getting in my way.

[B]

You want it to be in the background?

[C]

Kind of.

[B]

But you need to. So how do you keep the balance? Because you have to be focused on it to some degree, but you don't want to be overwhelmed by it.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

How do you find the balance?

[C]

Wait, hold on.

[B]

You understand the question?

[C]

Yeah, I got. I Got to find the balance. Like. Oh, I think it's just like. I don't know how to answer that.

[B]

I know it's hard. I don't think there's an answer. I think it's. I think your personality does it. Yeah, right. Like. Like what I've noticed when I'm talking to people is that some people are a little more drugged down by it and some people are a little less. And I don't think it's up to them. I don't, I don't think it's a decision they make. I just think sometimes your personality just sees it as like, I can do this and you kind of stay light hearted about it.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Right.

[C]

But like, if my blood sugar is like good, then I just like, like push it behind. Like, don't worry about it.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

But if it's high or low, I obviously have to worry about. So I'll keep my eye on it until it gets like in the good range and then I can just ignore it.

[B]

I tell people that I think one of the ways that my family deals well with it is that we wake up every day hopeful.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Like we just kind of start over again. You know what I mean? Like, some days are great, some days you don't even think about it. Some days you're just like draining. This was terrible. Like it just takes it completely out of you. But you can't take the bad experience and drag it into the next day.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

It's probably a good piece of life advice too.

[C]

Yes, it is.

[B]

So earlier you mentioned that you wanted tubing on your pump. A lot of people would say, I don't want tubing. But why do you think that's not a problem?

[C]

I honestly think it depends on the age because I totally get the feeling I'm just wanting to hide it. I like, when I was little, I didn't want anyone to know that I had diabetes. I didn't even want the question to be brought up about it. And now I just have it and I embrace it. I see. Like when I'm at the pool, I can just. And I'm wearing. I can just. Everyone looks at it, it's obvious. So it's just. 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.

[B]

So do you think this was like a coming out kind of a thing? Do you think, like, I wanted this tubing? I want people to see this. I want this conversation now.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

When you were young, yeah. So it's not functional. It doesn't stop you. Lacrosse or life wise. Like, you know, some people are like, oh, how do you sleep with it if it has a tubing? None of that's a problem for you.

[C]

No, I mean, it does get caught in things and that really hurts. But. But that's my own fault because I'm not putting. I'm not like tucking it in. It just like sometimes just let it out.

[B]

Sometimes you just forget to do it.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay, but this is really interesting. We should talk for 15 minutes about this, but I don't think we have the time. Like, you got to. How old were you when you decided I want people to see this?

[C]

I think I was like, right when I got like, T Slim. I think it was in maybe when I was like 12, I just kind of was like, you know, it's part of me. Like, I can't just keep ignoring it and letting people just not realize I had it.

[B]

You got the T Slim and then you just. You became braver.

[C]

Kinda.

[B]

Wow, that's awesome.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Seriously. Does your mom wear the same pump?

[C]

No, she was eyelet.

[B]

Oh.

[C]

That's why I was gonna go on that one originally. Oh, wait, no, you're not on islet anymore. You just swept. Just kidding. She's on loop now.

[B]

You're looping with an omnipod. Yeah. What about your son, Tandem? So your brother wears. Does he wear the Moby or does he wear.

[C]

He wears the. The one I have.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Too slim. He just. He. I got it first and then he got it. He was like, actually, now I want it.

[B]

I'm like, oh, that's how it works, apparently.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

He likes copying me.

[B]

I got a T Slim. You get a T Slim. We all get a T. Slim like that.

[C]

Your turn, Mom.

[B]

Yeah. Did you want to ask me anything?

[C]

No.

[B]

Okay, that's fair enough.

[C]

I didn't have any questions.

[B]

Do you think we've talked about everything? Like, if you walk away right now, where you think, oh, I wish people would have known this and I didn't say it?

[C]

No, I think you added everything.

[B]

Awesome. That was great. Thank you so much.

[C]

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 [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 and 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.