Understanding Type 1 Diabetes: Essential Insights for Parents

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November is Diabetes Awareness Month. To get involved and help spread awareness, we wanted to learn more about Type 1 diabetes, its signs and symptoms, how common it is, and what we can do to help. I learned a lot during this episode, and one thing that stood out to me was that Type 1 diabetes is most often diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults, but it can develop at any age. I had no idea! Anastasia really broke everything down for us, including what parents really need to know about Type 1 diabetes and what to look for so we can look out for our kids and each other.

Who is Anastasia Albanese-O’Neill?

Anastasia Albanese-O’Neill, Ph.D., ARNP, CDCES transitioned to a career in diabetes care, education, and research in 2008, and since that time has committed her professional life to improving the lives of people with diabetes. She currently serves as director, community screening and clinical trials education at Breakthrough T1D and is the founder and board chair of a Florida-based diabetes education non-profit, Diabetes Toolkit. Anastasia formerly served as director of diabetes education and clinic operations in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Florida, where she maintained an active research portfolio and clinical practice. Prior to working in diabetes care, Anastasia was the highest-ranking executive for Southwest Airlines in southern California, where she oversaw the company’s local marketing, public affairs, and community and media relations. She plans to retire as soon as a cure for Type 1 diabetes is discovered, but not a moment earlier.

What Did We Discuss?

In this episode, we chat with Anastasia all about Type 1 diabetes and what parents need to know — from symptoms to diagnoses and beyond. Here are several of the questions that we covered in our conversation:

• What exactly is Type 1 diabetes (T1D)? 
• Please tell us how your child’s T1D diagnosis changed your career and life.
  • How has it influenced your approach to parenthood?
• What are some common misconceptions about T1D that you wish more people understood?
• What are the symptoms of T1D that people need to know?
  • How would I know if my child might have it? 
• What are the benefits of early detection — especially for kids? How can people get screened? 
• How important is the support of family and friends in managing T1D?
• If a parent has T1D, what are the chances of their kids also having it?
  • Can it affect your pregnancy?
• What treatment options are there for T1D?
• What resources do you recommend for people wanting to learn more about Type 1 diabetes?
• How can people get involved in finding a cure?

If you are a parent or a soon-to-be parent, I highly encourage you to listen to this episode. I learned that 80-90% of people who develop Type 1 diabetes have no family connection with the condition, so it can happen to anyone, even if it doesn’t run in your family.¹ This is helpful information for us all to know and be aware of as we grow and raise our babies. Be sure to spread the message!

Anastasia’s Resources

Thank you for listening to this episode! Be sure to subscribe to our podcast, leave us a review, and follow us on our podcast Instagram page @thebabychickchat for more content. Cheers to making everyday life better for those with Type 1 diabetes and their families!

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