Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1762 "Lovely Rita"

Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Rita
Release Date: February 6, 2026

Episode Overview

This heartwarming and insightful episode features Rita, a seasoned type 1 from Portugal and parent to a young daughter also living with type 1 diabetes. For over an hour, Scott and Rita dive into the nuances of growing up and parenting with type 1, cultural differences in diabetes care, the evolution of technology, and the real-life impact of community and perspective. Rita’s journey—diagnosed at 18 and now an experienced "double diabetes" mom—offers listeners wisdom on flexibility, resilience, and the importance of questioning tradition in diabetes management.
Theme: Adaptation, innovation, and community in living boldly with type 1.

Rita’s Background and Diagnosis Journey

• Personal Background:
  • Rita is 41 (nearly 42), diagnosed with T1D at 18 (2003), and has a six-year-old daughter, also with T1D.
  • She’s from Portugal, with no family history of autoimmune diseases except a father with later-onset type 2.
• Diagnosis:
  • Typical symptoms: exhaustion, rapid weight loss, and heavy thirst during her university years.
  • At diagnosis: lost ~11 lbs in a week, high blood sugar, but no DKA, and was not hospitalized.
  • Initially, strict meal times/amounts on NPH, then Mixtar (mixed insulin), and a honeymoon period off insulin before resuming.

Memorable Moment (07:00):

• Rita: "I lost kind of 11 pounds in about a week... At first it was kind of progressive. You don't feel it coming. But then, yeah, then it goes really quickly, the symptoms."
• On the honeymoon phase: "For me, for example, like giving shots, it was very difficult. I hated needles... for me to have to do it for a month and a half or two months, and then having to stop completely... and then going back to it again, so you don't create that routine." [09:50]

Transitioning Through Diabetes Technology (15:42 – 27:22)

• Insulin Regimens:
  • After initial mixes, started Lantus (via hospital sample due to insurance negotiations), then gradually introduced Humalog.
  • Long period on injections (pens standard in Portugal), before starting a pump about eight years ago.
  • Pump access in Portugal historically restricted by public tenders and long waiting lists, now easier with recent reforms.

Healthcare System and Costs:

• Pumps cost ~€3,000-€4,000 (US$5,000), with monthly supplies around €200—prohibitive out-of-pocket in relation to ~€900/mo minimum wage. “It would be like five or six months worth of salary to buy an insulin pump. Just to buy the pump.” [21:51]
• Private purchase rare; most access through the public health system.

Pump Technology Available:

• Initially Medtronic and Accu-Chek Combo, now also Tandem.
• Sensor progression: Libre first, but developed severe adhesive allergies—resolved with Dexcom G6; G7 does not work for Rita, but does work for her daughter.

Impact of Technology and Perspective on Living With T1 (27:22 – 36:23)

• CGM as a Game Changer:

  • “It was just being able to get more control, but... being able to tweak things as you want, to be more flexible in what you do. That was the upside of the pump for me.” [27:22]
  • Transition from uncertainty in BG management to empowerment and fine-tuning.

• Host's Reflection on Progress:

  • Scott shares an emotional story about a friend’s old-school diabetes experience—unpredictable lows, limited technology, early death.
  • Contextualizes current frustrations with CGM reliability:
    • “...would have been great to give Mike a sensor that didn't always last 10 days. That's all I could think.” [30:06]
  • The host urges gratitude and perspective: today’s life expectancy for T1 is nearly the same as non-diabetics—a "miraculous" change.

Notable Quote (32:46):
Scott: "A person born now with type 1 diabetes has almost the exact same life expectancy as a person born without it. And that was not the case 10, 20, 30, 40 years ago."

Managing Community Expectations and Frustrations with Technology (36:23 – 47:55)

• Online Community Frustration:

  • Discussion on negative online discourse, particularly about G7 replacing G6 and labeling tech companies as “shoving things down our throats.”
  • Both acknowledge sensor failures, adhesive allergies, and individual differences—but remind listeners of choices and continued innovation.
  • “People can complain in a way that you’re also acknowledging...the greater good that these companies are producing...” [36:23]

• Rita’s Experience:

  • G6 works for her, G7 does not (persistent inaccuracies after 24 hours), but her daughter does fine on G7.
  • Emphasizes companies are made of people working to improve technology—progress is iterative and imperfect.

Notable Quote (43:10):
Rita: "Surely things would get better for most people that use those products, even if that excludes some because for some reason it doesn't work for them...It doesn’t make Dexcom, or some other company, a bad company just because of that."

Parenting a Child With Type 1 (56:54 – 63:32)

• Screening and Diagnosis of Daughter:

  • Daughter screened at age 4 due to family program; positive for two antibodies & mild elevation in A1c. Started on a sensor preemptively, insulin at 5.5 years old.
  • Emotional impact:
    • “It was hard to hear that she had tested positive... At the time, of course, I did not know she was in phase two already. So when they told me, I knew she would get it. Right?” [58:58]
  • Pump access easier for her daughter; junior now thriving with T1.

• Parent-Child T1 Dynamic:

  • Diabetes management is "more focused" on her daughter now, but self-care remains consistent thanks to her experience.
  • Husband participates but relies on Rita’s expertise.

Ownership of Care, the Limits of “Official” Rules, and the Role of Community (63:32 – 70:45)

• Letting Go of Rigid Rules:

  • Rita discusses the importance of figuring out what works for you versus strictly following standard doctor advice—“letting go” of the “official rules” learned at diagnosis.
  • “They have their role and it is important. But...people...take ownership of their own care.” [63:52]

• Scott’s Validation:

  • The podcast and Sugar Surfing validated her individual approach.
  • A1Cs have remained exceptional (mid to high 5%'s to 6% since CGM and pump).

• Community:

  • Initially alone with T1 in Portugal, the podcast and online resources filled the gap.
  • Now has a network of other T1 parents, which is meaningful.

Notable Quote (66:31):
Scott: "Maybe the most important thing that you can do as a person living with diabetes is understand how insulin works and feel the autonomy necessary to change your settings. That's really going to help you..."

Living in Portugal: Quality of Life and Culture (67:57 – End)

• Cultural Differences:

  • Portugal is increasingly popular with American expats; weather is mild, community growing.
  • Pump and technology options catching up to the US, though access structured through national health system.

• Real Community Matters:

  • Online resources are crucial, but connection with local T1 families enriches daily life.

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• [07:00] Rita: “I lost kind of 11 pounds in about a week... you don't feel it coming. But then... the symptoms go really quickly.”
• [09:50] Rita: "For me... giving shots, it was very difficult. I hated needles... then going back... you don't create that routine."
• [21:51] Scott: "It would be like five or six months worth of salary to buy an insulin pump. Just to buy the pump."
• [27:22] Rita: “It was just being able to get more control... to be more flexible... That was the upside of the pump for me.”
• [30:06] Scott: “...would have been great to give Mike a sensor that didn’t always last 10 days. That’s all I could think.”
• [32:46] Scott: "A person born now with type 1 diabetes has almost the exact same life expectancy as a person born without it."
• [43:10] Rita: "Surely things would get better for most people... It doesn’t make Dexcom, or some other company, a bad company just because of that."
• [58:58] Rita: "It was hard to hear that she had tested positive... I knew she would get it... most likely she would get it throughout her life."
• [66:31] Scott: “Maybe the most important thing that you can do... is understand how insulin works and feel the autonomy necessary to change your settings.”

Key Takeaways & Insights

• Adaptability is Crucial: Each person—patient or parent—must learn to tweak, question, and individualize diabetes management for best outcomes.
• Technological Progress is Miraculous, Not Perfect: Today’s CGMs, pumps, and health outcomes are lightyears ahead of past generations, but progress remains iterative.
• Community Matters, Both Online and Local: Peer validation and solidarity are empowering, especially when local T1 connections are limited.
• Ownership Overrules Rigid Compliance: Understanding insulin, sensors, and your body is more valuable than rote adherence to “rules.”
• Perspective Frees You From Fear: The podcast’s message—“be Bold With Insulin!”—is rooted in gratitude and knowledge.

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• Rita’s Diagnosis and Early Management: 02:13 – 12:17
• Evolving Technology, Healthcare Systems: 15:42 – 26:53
• Reflections on Old vs. New Management: 27:22 – 36:23
• Community Frustrations and Tech Progress: 36:23 – 47:55
• Parent-Child T1 Dynamics: 56:54 – 63:32
• Rethinking the Rules, Community, and Life in Portugal: 63:32 – end

Final Thoughts

Rita’s story brings together decades of experience, hope, and realism. Her balanced approach—open to learning from others (podcasts, books, trial-and-error), willing to challenge the status quo, and rooted in perspective—offers actionable reassurance for anyone touched by type 1. As Scott says: “Understand how insulin works and feel the autonomy necessary to change your settings. That's really going to help you...” [66:31]

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, the parent of a child with T1, or a veteran, this episode offers both a roadmap and a reminder: progress is imperfect, but the path forward is brighter than ever—and you are not alone.