Diabetes Connections With Stacey Simms | Type 1 Diabetes |

This week, Meri Schuhmacher-Jackson shares her unique story. Three of her four sons have type 1 diabetes. Several years ago her first husband died after a short & intense battle with cancer. Incredibly, Meri found love again. She's remarried and she and her husband have nine children between them! Meri shares her story on her blog "Our Diabetic Life." Plus.. a look at a high protein frozen treat called ProYo. This caught our eye after Stacey sampled it at a JDRF Walk and learned the company donates to diabetes causes. Founder Nathan Carey explains how he started the business. And Diabetes Podcast Week may be over, but we hope you consider support Spare a Rose and our sponsor, Wildtree, all month long!

This week: OpenAPS, Looping, Happ - a bunch of weird sounding terms that are changing the way many manage diabetes.  Tim Street has lived with type 1 for 28 years, he writes a blog called Diabettech. Tim talks about the DIY systems out there right now (he's tried almost all of them) and about all the new choices for people with diabetes available now an in the next few years. Lots of conversation in this show about the “art of the possible." It's also Diabetes Podcast Week! This is the second year of Stacey's campaign to bring together podcasters and video bloggers to benefit Spare a Rose, Save a Child. Diabetes in developing countries can be a death sentence. This Valentine’s day, considering donating the cost of just one rose. That can keep a child with type 1 alive for a month. A dozen roses? That cost can cover a year. Spare a Rose benefits Life for a Child, an International Diabetes Federation Program.  

This week's guest, Julie De Vos has been skiing about since she could walk. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 11 she’s now a coach with Riding on Insulin & program director for Connected in Motion. Julie was determined to keep skiing after her diagnosis and shares the challenges she faced as a young competitor. As an adult, a Google search led her to Connected in Motion, a Canadian diabetes athlete group and then Riding on Insulin, which encourages kids and adults with T1D to participate in action sports.  Julie talks about the importance of metal health in diabetes management, looks back on her years living with T1D and offers some advice for parents and caregivers of people with diabetes. In this episode, Stacey also talks about the American Diabetes Association's new statement and petition in support of affordable insulin and previews Diabetes Podcast Week, which starts 2/6/2017.      

Stacy Juba is a successful author & editor whose daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was six years old. Stacy shares how a book she put aside long ago helped her come to terms with her daughter's diagnosis and how finishing her current novel felt like a victory over T1D.  This episode also features the family behind Noah's March, a new effort to raise money for T1D research. 10-year-old Noah decided he wanted to walk across America to get attention and funding for diabetes; his parents share how it's been since the walk kicked off at the start of the year.

Wil Dubois has written a weekly diabetes advice column for DiabetesMine for more than ten years. Called "Ask D'Mine," Wil answers questions with straight-talk, a blunt attitude and understanding that comes from experience. Diagnosed type 1 as an adult (and first misdiagnosed) he's also a diabetes author and community educator. Stacey & Will talk about the column, Wil's diagnosis and about working in an area of the country where diabetes educators and endos are few in number and access. Wil also shares which columns generated the strongest reactions from readers. This episode also features information about Diabetes Podcast Week. Plus a way you or your business can help the Spare a Rose campaign get life-saving diabetes supplies to children in developing nations while also getting a mention on the show.

In 2011 Erin Spineto completed a five-day solo sail around the Florida Keys. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 19, she's since completed other adventures such as a relay swim around the Keys and a stand-up paddle along North Carolina's intra-coastal waterway. Her new book, Adventure On, offers advice to keep people with diabetes motivated to pursue their dreams and manage T1D day by day. Spineto is married with two children; she and Stacey talk about juggling family and work (and T1D) responsibilities, getting away from it all and whether Spineto's job as a middle school teacher is tougher than a solo sail! Stacey also shares her family's recent adventures in the Galapagos Islands and how they managed her son's type 1 diabetes while snorkeling, hiking, eating new foods and spending a week at sea.   

Victor Garber has starred on stage, screen and currently on television in the CW hit Legends of Tomorrow. Well known for Titanic, Alias & numerous roles on Broadway, Garber was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a teenager. He talks to Stacey about feeling "like a freak" at first, but still following his dream of performing and ultimately coming to terms with type 1. He answers listener questions about his routines (exercise, food, etc) and his newer experiences with an insulin pump and CGM. Plus, some fun behind the scenes show-biz stories! Stacey also talks about the newly approved OneTouch Vibe Plus (Animas pump integrated with Dexcom's G5 Mobile CGM) and the FDA's separate okay of the Dexcom G5 for insulin dosing.  

This week, a conversation with Dexcom’s Chief Technical officer Jorge Valdes. Stacey talks with him about challenges and advances in 2016 and they look ahead to what's in the works for next year. Valdes shares what the FDA is currently considering and may approve for 2017, updates us on customer service issues and reacts to Medtronic's hybrid loop system coming out in the spring.  This is our last episode of 2016; there will be no new show released next week.  Please check out our archives or search for your favorite topics or guests from the home page. And make sure you sign up for our newsletter (click here). If you didn't win our Sugar Linings Swag contest, we've got a coupon code going out before the end of the year. Happy Holidays and a safe and happy New Year!!  

This week, live TV, every day, with type 1 diabetes. What’s it like to do a morning show, getting up in the middle of the night to deliver the news of the day when you also have to think about where your blood sugar is? Cristina Frank shares her story, how she got to WMTW in Maine, how The Baby Sitter’s Club Books helped a cousin figure out she had T1D when she was 11, and how much the news business has changed in just the last few years. Plus, last chance to enter our Sugar Linings Swag contest (ends 12/14).  Sign up for the newsletter to receive a 15% off coupon code for Sugar Linings Swag products good through Dec 31, 2016.

Stacey's son, Benny, was diagnosed with T1D the first weekend of December 2006. It was one month before he turned two. His big sister, Lea, had just turned 5. This week, Stacey, her husband, Slade, Lea, and Benny all share their stories about how their family's life was changed and about how they've all managed over the last ten years.  This episode also kicks off a contest with Sierra Sandison's Sugar Linings Swag company! We're partnering to give away four shirts for the holidays. Please go to https://www.facebook.com/diabetesconnections/ for all the information and enter! This is a longer show than usual so it might be helpful to have a guide when the segments begin. You can refer back or skip ahead: 00:07:49 Stacey & Slade 00:27:20 Lea 00:43:43 Stacey & Slade (continued) 01:15:20 Benny  

This week, living and thriving for 75 years with type 1 diabetes. Diagnosed in 1941, Judy Ball has seen incredible changes in diabetes management. There was a time before home monitoring when doctors weren’t sure people with diabetes could be trusted to even check their own blood sugar. We talk about how World War II affected Judy's initial care, her doctor’s connection to Banting & Best.. the scientists who unlocked the key to insulin, and how her great-nephew who also has type 1.. helped her change her routine. Plus, a follow up on last week’s guest, Broadway performer Maddy Trumble and a little bit about Stacey's son managing diabetes during his first middle school play.   

This week, following a dream all the way to Broadway. Maddy Trumble has gone green in Wicked, been the King of NY in Newsies and toured the country as Mary Poppins, all while dancing in high heels and dealing with type 1 diabetes. Maddy shares her story, her family's love of theater and her passion for performing. We also hear about how she handles low blood sugars on stage and her concerns about health insurance. Plus, Thanksgiving can be a wonderful time for family visits and great food, but it can be just a bit stressful (with or without T1D). Some good advice from Diabetes Hands Foundation's Mike Lawson as he explains "How to Eat Dinner with a Diabetic."  

This week, help for T1D college students. Going away to school is a big milestone for any student.. but when a person with diabetes heads off to school there are unique and challenging issues. The College Diabetes Network offers help and support. You'll hear from three students involved in CDN along with Mindy Bartleson who is the Programs Assistant and an alum. Stacey also talks about upcoming activities and appearances for Diabetes Awareness Month. 

This week, Stacey recently went to the West Coast to check out the JDRF OneWalk in Los Angeles. She was able to speak to actors Derek Theler from ABC Family's Baby Daddy and Brec Bassinger, from Nick's Bella & the Bulldogs. The actors who balance TV and movie careers while living with type 1 diabetes helped kick off the walk at the Rose Bowl Stadium. Stacey also spoke with KTLA News Anchor, OneWalk MC & D-Dad Frank Buckley.  This episode also features Walk a Mile Cards. During this Diabetes Awareness Month, you may find yourself trying to explain what T1D is, but this project hopes to explain what diabetes feels like. It's a unique set of cards to convey empathy through simple but effective exercises. Stacey speaks with Kerri Sparling, Bennet Dunlap and Justin Masterson, three of co-creators of the project.

This week, Real Life Diabetes is a podcast hosted by the people behind Diabetes Daily Grind. Amber Clour & Ryan Fightmaster are two adults with type 1 who found the “grind” is a lot easier with someone who understands. Amber & Ryan share what inspired them to start their podcast, what they’ve learned and why they did an episode from a hot tub. Plus, a group of friends had so much fun at obstacle course races.. they decided to start their own. We meet the group Type One and hear about their event, The Renegade Run And a big name in country makes a big donation to diabetes research. Stacey shares her experience at a recent JDRF Gala; she was in the room when Eric Church donated one million dollars!  

This week, a big step forward for diabetes technology. The FDA recently approved the very first hybrid closed loop insulin system: the Medtronic MiniMed 670G. Medtronic's Chief Patient Officer Louis Dias and Social Media Manager Karrie Hawbaker talk to Stacey about what this product is, what it isn’t, access to it and what comes next. Our Community Connection this week features a unique fundraiser, The Elbow Bump Challenge. Find out how 9-year-old Logan hopes to help out his favorite conference, Children with Diabetes, Friends For Life.  And Stacey talks about the Joslin Medalist Study for people living with type 1 for more than 25 years. 

Important information this week about Glucagon, emergency treatment for severe low blood sugar. Stacey talks to Julie Settles, the US Medical Lead for Glucagon at Lilly. We find out more about how Glucagon works, when to use it (and when not to) and what the company is working on to make the delivery easier. Community Connection this week is with James Wedding who convinced an academic summer program to change their Glucagon emergency use policy. Plus, learn about the Big Blue Test from Diabetes Hands Foundation.

The Type Zero Technologies artificial pancreas project is one of the many racing to market. Their technology comes from years of research, still ongoing, at the University of Virginia. This summer, they announced a new partnership with Tandem. Molly McElwee Malloy, who has type 1 herself, is the head of patient engagement for Type Zero. She talks about the studies, the progress and the emotional and mental side of artificial pancreas projects. Plus, necessity is the mother of invention and diabetes moms are nothing if not resourceful. In our Community Connection, the inventor of Diabetic Dabs talks about how she come up with this idea. Liz Sacco shares the story of how her son's diagnosis led her to find a why to clean up after finger sticks.  

This week, Animas sent a letter to patients and talked to news media about a potential security issue. You can read more here. Stacey speaks to endocrinologist Dr. Brian Levy, the chief medical officer with Animas. 

This week, a conversation with some of the top executives at Animas, checking in on their newest products in development, the latest research and their company plans. Stacey talks to John Wilson, the Worldwide Vice President, Insulin Delivery for Johnson & Johnson and Krishna Venugopalan, the Worldwide Director of Research & Development, Insulin Delivery. They talk about Animas’s version of a hybrid closed loop, further Dexcom integration, remote capabilities and much more. Stacey also gives her take on all the talk around the "Artificial Pancreas" vs "Hybrid Closed Loop" language that came with the announcement that Medtronic received approval for a first of its kind device. And we mention the Diabetes Dance Dare, a new social media challenge from the American Diabetes Association.