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Parenting a Child with Type-1 Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where the body does not produce enough insulin to break down sugars within the body into fuel. Sugars left in the bloodstream over time can crystallize and do damage to cells and tissues throughout the body. Some common issues include nerve damage, blurry vision, reduced circulation (Mayo Clinic).
Parenting brings a certain amount of unsolicited advice. We never seem to be doing it good enough. Someone will always feel he or she has a better way, and you must hear about it. Add to that the challenge of parenting a child with type-1 diabetes, and you an extra layer of judgment coming in the form of advice. Someone, often well-meaning, will offer suggestions for diets, alternative medicine, even conventional medicine that you as a parent may have already considered and investigated. That can be frustrating.
There may be a pressure of needing to be the perfect parent. We are all human. Perfection is not an option, especially when it comes to parenting a child with Type-1 diabetes. Modern technology loves to show us the highlight reels of someone’s life, a life we do not have ourselves. It’s easy to feel like a failure.
Long-time podcast host, speaker, and author, Stacey Simms, shares with us how mistakes became her superpower. These lessons have been compiled into her book, The World’s Worst Diabetes Mom.
Who is Stacey Simms
Author, podcaster, and parent, Stacey Simms applied her experience from a career in broadcasting to build a community of parents and experts dealing with type-1 diabetes.
Just before her son turned two-years-old in 2006, Stacey’s son was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes (T1D). As the family of four settled into their new way of life, Stacey began doing what she does best, writing about her experience. Since the beginning, her diabetes philosophy has been: not perfect, but safe and happy. That mantra was fine until someone on Facebook told her she was an awful parent.
What is Diabetes Connections?
Diabetes Connections is the T1D news show you’ve been waiting for! Long-time broadcaster, blogger, and diabetes mom Stacey Simms interviews prominent advocates, authors, and speakers. Stacey asks hard questions of healthcare companies and tech developers and brings on “everyday” people living with type 1 diabetes. Great for parents of T1D kids, adults with type 1, and anyone who loves a person with diabetes.
You can find Diabetes Connections on any podcast app. New shows come out every Tuesday.
Resources and Links
Check out the resources and podcast Stacey Simms offers at Diabetes-Connections.com
Download a copy of Stacey’s book from Amazon.com, The World’s Worst Diabetes Mom: Real‑Life Stories of Parenting a Child with Type 1 Diabetes
Stacey is also available as a keynote speaker or voice talent. Check out her other website at StaceySimms.com.
Listen to these past episodes:
- Megan Vowler on Raising a Child with Down Syndrome – BtR 119
- Madison Radke Discusses Why You Should Eat Healthy at Work – BtR 177
- Nancy Guberti on How Nutrition and Wellness Starts with Mindset – BtR 220
Connect with Us
Subscribe on iTunes (Apple Podcasts), Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio and never miss an episode.
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Email [email protected]
Episode Credits
Guest Host: Katina Stith, host of TrueIdentity.Life podcast
Co-Host, Editing, and Production: Jerry Dugan
Music: “Oceans Apart” is our theme song composed and performed by Scott Ian Holmes.
