Diabetes Connections with Stacey Simms Type 1 Diabetes

Andrew Armstrong was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in high school, when college scouts were already coming around. He had the unique experience of being recruited by someone who knew  exactly what he was going through - one of the coaches he met had a daughter with T1D.  Andrew is now in his third year at SU and linebacker coach Brian Ward still supports him, as does Athletic Trainer who lives with type 1. Andrew shares his story plus tips and advice for student athletes.

This bonus episode is about running, community and finding a way to make a difference. It's a great way kick off Diabetes Awareness Month.  Stacey worked with Tammy Lowry in her previous job at a radio station. In 2015? Tammy's son Jackson was diagnosed with type 1, just a few weeks before they were both set to run a half marathon to benefit children's cancer research. Jackson's diagnosis took him out of that race, but it led to bigger goals.

Stacey talks to Jen Block from Bigfoot Biomedical with a look at why they plan to be more than a pump company, offering help navigating healthcare and a subscription service. Jen is the VP of Medical and Clinical Affairs. She was diagnosed with type 1 her sophomore year in college, during a cross country road trip. Now a Nurse Practitioner and Certified Diabetes Educator, she shares her story and details about Bigfoot.

Once called deliberately non-compliant, this week's guest is all about the importance of language when it comes to diabetes. Renza Scibilia has some strong opinions about why words really matter.. In our Community Connections this week, the Type 1 Renegade Run is making noise in the Northeast. The event this past weekend marks the 7th year of this obstacle course and block party.

Darrell Greene is one of the first people to try Eversense, the implantable long-term CGM from Senseonics. With Eversense, a doctor places the sensor in the upper arm where it stays for three months. Darrell explains what the experience is like, how the sensor feels under the skin and shares his story of living with T1D since his early 20s. Darrell is a local news anchor in Memphis, Tennessee and has some fun stories to share about working in the industry. 

JDRF’s Chief Mission Officer Aaron Kowalski talks about what’s new and next in terms of research. He also gives us perspective on what’s come before including how JDRF helped fund the CGM and hybrid closed loop landscape that we’re all very familiar with now, but that almost didn’t happen. Plus, how do you get rid of needles and Sharps containers? The rules aren’t the same in every state or even every city. Put your Zip code in at this website and find out what's recommended where you live.

The Fox TV show "The Resident" takes on type 1 diabetes and gets it right! This week's episode "The Prince and the Pauper" features two plot lines about diabetes. Stacey speaks with the co-executive producer Andrew Chapman on why this issue and why now. Chapman lives with LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults) also known as type 1.5. He tells Stacey there are two other people with diabetes on the writing staff.

A difficult but important interview with Nicole Smith Holdt. Her son, Alec, died in 2017 just after he came off his parents' health insurance and realized he couldn't afford his supplies. He began rationing insulin and died less than a month later. Stacey talks to Nicole about how this could have happened and what her message is to the diabetes community and to lawmakers. Nicole will be at the #Insulin4All rally and protect Sept 30 at Eli Lilly headquarters.

"Open Up Your Bag" is a new children’s picture book about diabetes. The story behind it takes us into a great conversation with the author Mike Lawson. Mike was diagnosed as a young adult (after initially being misdiagnosed as type 2) and he shares stories about finding the diabetes community, getting involved in organizations like TuDiabetes.Org and Diabetes Hands Foundation and what led him to write the book and start Diabetes Doodles

Big news for Abbott, the makers of the FreeStyle Libre. This summer the he FDA okayed a shorter warmup and a longer wear for the glucose monitor. Stacey talks to Tim Dunn, Abbott’s Director of Clinical research. They talk about the challenge of longer wear, the practical info you need to know if you use the Libre, and a look down the road as they partner with companies like Bigfoot. Plus, a protest planned at the end of the month – all about affordable insulin.

Letting go of your college-aged child with is a challenge even without type 1 on board! We talk to the College Diabetes Network, a college senior with T1D and her mom about fears, communication and making it work.  CDN recently surveyed parents about their fears and we'll share the top ten. Plus, medical help for your 18+ year old child. Even if they're still on your health insurance plan, you can't assume you'll be able to help in an emergency or access their medical records.

It's been 20 years since Nicole Johnson took the crown, becoming Miss America. That was just five years after she was diagnosed with type 1. At diagnosis, her doctors told her she was too sick to continue college, to pursue her dreams of being a journalist and to have a baby.  Nicole shares how she overcame that prediction to go on to finish school, compete and win pageants and to have a child a few years later. Plus, one small step toward a DIY Omnipod Loop. Learn more about OpenOmni.

Tandem's Predictive Low Glucose Suspend is out! Stacey and Benny got the software update on Saturday, August 25, 2018 and this bonus episode includes Stacey's thoughts on how the first few days turned out. 

Instead of a rescue Glucagon shot, how about a nasal spray? A simple spray for emergency low blood sugar is in front of the FDA right now. We speak with Lilly Diabetes Senior Medical Director Dr. Thomas Hardy about the need for this product, what it is and how it works.  In our Know Better segment.. a quick tip about Dexom’s G6 - save your papers!! And a bit about the Bike Beyond documentary.  Stacey says it wasn't what she expected at all.

It's time for back to school with T1D. Do you know your child's rights and how to best talk to school staff? We have an in depth conversation with Crystal Woodward, Director of the American Diabetes Association’s Safe at School program.  Plus, a ready to use glucagon pen goes to the FDA.. what would the first room temperature-stable liquid glucagon mean for us? Find out about Xeris's product and the unique way they filed for approval.