Type 1 Diabetes Resources
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We have gathered resources that we know have been impactful for our communities families and many others we know are living with Type 1 Diabetes.
Each resource has great things to offer, but not every resource may be a great fit for where you are at in your journey right now.
We encourage you to take what works for you, and leave the rest. Stay curious and take an opportunity to try something new that could help you in your diabetes journey.
As always, check with your doctor before making changes to your diabetes care plan.
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If you haven’t come across the saying, ‘your diabetes will vary” you will soon!
We encourage you to work closely with your diabetes care team as you go through this journey.
It doesn’t take long to see that different people take different approaches to managing diabetes. There are basic principles that are pretty universal for most and we hope all Type 1 diabetics have access to the foundational concepts needed to thrive, not just survive.
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We believe that success means that Type 1 Diabetes is not preventing you from living a joyful and purposeful life. We know a lot of families don’t feel equipped to manage diabetes as well as they would like. It can feel like multivariate calculus - when all you know how to do is simple addition.
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Thankfully, there are those in the wider Type 1 Diabetes community that are happy to share what they have learned so we don’t have to reinvent the wheel at every turn.
Finding individualized and practical solutions to common variables like exercise, age and stage, dietary preferences, social factors, navigating insurance, mental health, burn out, economic realities, etc. can go a long way in reducing the stress of managing T1D so you can live a full life.
Juice Box Pro-Tip Series
The Diabetes Pro Tip series from the Juicebox Podcast focuses on simple strategies for living well with type 1 diabetes.
We like how it breaks down complex ideas into smaller chunks to help better understand how insulin works. This works well for auditory learners who enjoy podcasts. The tug-of-war illustration of insulin vs your blood sugar is really helpful.
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The Diabetes Pro Tip series from the Juicebox Podcast focuses on simple strategies for living well with type I diabetes. The Pro Tip episodes contain easy to understand concepts that will increase your knowledge of how insulin works and so much more.
Beyond Type 1
Beyond Type 1 is a nonprofit organization changing what it means to live with diabetes.
We really like the travel and adventure section, the human stories that highlight life with T2D.
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Through platforms, programs, resources and grants, Beyond Type 1 is uniting the global diabetes community and providing solutions to improve lives today. Founded in 2015 with a focus on education, advocacy and the pathway to cures for type 1 diabetes, Beyond Type 1 has grown to also include programs for those with type 2 diabetes. A new model of philanthropy, Beyond Type 1 aims to change what it means to live with chronic illness.
T1D Buddy Camp
While we haven't experienced camp here yet, I think it could go a long way for a sibling or non-T1D bestie to get a week together.
T1D Buddy Camp @ Tamarack invites children and teens with type 1 diabetes (entering grades 3–12) to bring their buddies (siblings and friends) with them to enjoy the adventures and challenges on the lake, trails, and climbing routes. We teach kids to use the on belay concept – "I've got your back" – in both outdoor adventures and diabetes care, and tons of fun.
Integrated Diabetes
Integrated Diabetes Services was founded in 1995 with a single, focused goal: to educate insulin users about how to manage diabetes more successfully.
In addition to the paid services they provide as Diabetes Educators, they offer low cost informational webinars, free online resources: how and why to basal test, pump comparisons, glycemic index and load info and so much more. Getting basal settings dialed in goes a long way in helping get off a blood sugar roller coaster.
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We recognize the gap that exists between what people with diabetes need and what they are able to receive from most healthcare providers, and strive to bridge that gap. Our clinicians all have a personal connection to diabetes, and thus bring a level of passion and insight that is unique in the diabetes industry.
As a private consulting practice, they have the ability to “get creative” when it comes to the way we care for their clients. They offer remote consultations (via phone, video chat, e-mail and text) for both new and established clients and utilize downloaded data in all forms
In addition to the paid services they provide as Diabetes Educators, they offer low cost informational webinars, free online resources: how and why to basal test, pump comparisons, glycemic index and load info and so much more. Getting basal settings dialed in goes a long way in helping get off a blood sugar roller coaster.
Juice Box Mental Wellness Collection
The Juicebox Podcast's Mental Wellness collection provides a comprehensive look into the psychological side of diabetes.
We like how they address topics like sneaking food, adolescence transitions, burnout in ways that are practical and will be more likely to help than the ways we act when it's done out of fear.
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Type 1 diabetes can be a daunting challenge to manage and often requires emotional support as well. The Juicebox Podcast's Mental Wellness collection provides a comprehensive look into the psychological side of diabetes. Scott Benner, Erika Forsyth LMFT, and other guests all bring their insights to topics ranging from coping with diagnosis to managing relationships with friends and family. This helpful collection can equip listeners with the necessary understanding of type 1 diabetes that is essential for maintaining mental wellbeing.
Parents of Kids w/ Type 1 Diabetes - Portland, OR/Vancouver, WA area
Facebook group hoping to create a support system for fellow parents of T1D kids in the Portland/Vancouver metro area.
This group has been a life saver on multiple occasions! This group does a great job of building people up, not tearing them down. Its a safe place to ask questions and be understood. We have gotten help with emergency supplies and been able to help out others in a pinch.
Chris Dudley Basketball Camp
Since 1994, the Chris Dudley Foundation has been providing resources, camps and education for those living with Type 1 Diabetes.
Through high quality camp and educational programs, collaborative healthcare, and networks of support, all people with diabetes will live healthier, more active and fulfilling lives.
We only ever hear high praise for this camp! Highlights include learning T1D management during workouts, building community with other athletic minded T1D peers.
Think Like a Pancreas
Few diabetes books focus specifically on the day-to-day issues facing people who use insulin.
For visual learners who like to read, this book is a great foundation for building diabetes management skills. In plain language, it gets into the nuts and bolts of management. We found this really helpful at the start of diagnosis and we still pull it off the shelf from time to time.
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Diabetes educator Gary Scheiner provides the tools to "think like a pancreas" -- to successfully master the art and science of matching insulin to the body's ever-changing needs. Comprehensive, free of medical jargon, and packed with useful information not readily available elsewhere, such as: Day-to-day blood glucose control and monitoring, Designing an insulin program to best match your lifestyle, etc.
Waltzing The Dragron
Waltzing the Dragon is Canada’s key online resource for the Type 1 Diabetes community, addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of living with diabetes.
We love the carb counted recipes section, advanced management ideas - like bolusing for the fat rise, and communications tips.
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Waltzing the Dragon is Canada’s key online resource for the Type 1 Diabetes community, addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of living with diabetes. We believe the key to living well with diabetes is empowering individuals with type 1 diabetes and their families to make choices that fit best for you, at different stages of your experience with diabetes (beginner through advanced), by presenting a range of available options.
Gales Creek Camp
Gales Creek Camp is a place where kids and tees with T1D from all over the Pacific Northwest have a blast while connecting with other kids living with the same challenges.
We connected early in our T1D journey with GCC. The opportunity for our kiddo to have independence while we take diabetes break is a yearly highlight.
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TOur goal is to help each child grow toward living an active, independent life. Through a traditional summer camp experience filled with friendships and antics—running, swimming, hiking, field games, arts, drama, campfires, and all around summer fun—Gales Creek Campers first and foremost get the opportunity to meet peers and mentors who share the same challenges they do. Cleverly disguised at pure fun, a week of camp builds friendships, confidence, and a renewed sense of self.
Breakthough T1D
Breakthrough T1D proudly serves the T1D communities of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Connect with us to find support, community and ways to join the fight to end T1D.
They have programs for youth ambassadors, newly diagnosed gift packs, virtual online support communities and local events.
Trail Net
TrialNet is an international network of leading academic institutions, endocrinologists, physicians, scientists and healthcare teams at the forefront of type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. We offer risk screening for relatives of people with T1D and innovative clinical studies testing ways to slow down and prevent disease progression.
Some families choose to screen for auto-antibodies and some don’t. Some choose to wait until age 8 - since there is now an FDA approved medication called teplizumab shown to delay the onset of Type 1 diabetes for people 8 and older.
Nutrition Scales
Especially in the beginning, having a food scale to help you learn carbohydrate counts can be really helpful. Over time, you may learn to accurately estimate an apple, banana or handful of rice or veggies. This can help you in the meantime!
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We still use ours from a lot of things, 5 years into our journey. We love the fruit carb counts the most, but it also helps when we are guessing on home made baked goods, pancakes, etc. Perfectly estimating carb counts for every meal is not practical or 100% achievable or necessary. But if you are working on a specific goal, i.e. dialing in settings packing lunch for school - the scale may be a helpful tool. Here is the one our family uses. There are several options out there, but we like how many of the common codes we use are right on the scale!
ADA Safe at School: Help for Parents
There are many helpful pages on the American Diabetes Association Website.
Tips for 504 plans, knowing your basic rights, long form Diabetes Management Medical Plan forms for pre-school and private school, etc.
We recommend starting at “Help for Parents” and exploring from there.
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Diabetes must be managed 24/7, and for children with diabetes, that includes time spent at school or school-sponsored activities like field trips and extracurricular activities, in child care programs, and at summer camp or recreational programs. Our Safe at School campaign works to make sure the diabetes management needs of children are met so they are healthy and safe and able to enjoy the same opportunities as their peers.
Books Featuring Kid Characters with Type 1 Diabetes
We know books and movies representing experiences go a long way in helping process life with T1D. Some of these we have personally, and still re-read from time to time.
The Truth About Stacey: A Graphic Novel (The Baby-Sitters Club #2)