Diabetes Connections With Stacey Simms | Type 1 Diabetes |

Moira McCarthy is the author of Raising Teens With Diabetes: A Survival Guide for Parents. She speaks frankly about the challenges she and her daughter faced, after years of being a "model" diabetes family. This episode also features an adult with type 1 who looks back at her self-described rebellious teen years. Plus, what I learned recently about talking to my ten year old that I hope will help in the "challenging" teen years to come:

The Nightscout Project is an open-source DIY project that lets users see blood sugar numbers from a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) on a smartphone, computer, tablet or Pebble watch. It came on the scene in 2013 and continues to grow at astonishing speed. Stacey speaks to Kate Farnsworth, a Pebble watchface designer for the group and James Wedding, president of the Nightscout Foundation. This episode recorded at the Children With Diabetes Friends For Life conference.

16 years ago, Laura Billetdeaux logged onto a diabetes chat room and asked if anyone wanted to meet up with her family during their vacation in Florida. That action sparked what would eventually become Friends For Life, the largest diabetes family conference in the world.  Stacey talks to Laura about what happens at the annual gathering and what it continues to mean to her family.  In Community Connection, advice from a mom who couldn't find the kind of support group she wanted for her toddler son, so she created it herself.

Stacey talks with Justin Thomas, the director of Camp Carolina Trails, an American Diabetes Association camp and Galen Horton, a staff member at the camp who works with Animas Corp. Both men were campers at the program  (Galen was Justin's counselor once upon a time) and have a lot to say about why the experience is so meaningful and why they keep coming back. This summer marked Galen's 30th! You'll also hear from a once-reluctant camper who turned her experience around. This will be Sara's 9th year at Camp Kudzu. Stacey shares her son's experiences at "regular" non-diabetes day camp and sleep away camp.

In 2014, Sierra Sandison won the Miss Idaho pageant with an insulin pump clipped to her bikini, prompting the #showmeyourpump social media movement. We talk about her new book and online projects as well as take a look back at her incredible experience at the Miss America Pageant. In Community Connections, you'll hear about a new diagnosis, a new school, and a fortuitous meeting for the family of a first grader.

Stacey talks to blogger, author and speaker Kerri Sparling, of Six Until Me. Kerri talks about the power of ordinary success with diabetes, how she decides what to keep private and the Spare a Rose charitable campaign. We'll also hear about a connection at theater camp and Stacey has some advice if you're looking to connect with other people with diabetes in real life.

Stacey talks to Jeffrey Brewer, former head of JDRF, now CEO of Bigfoot Biomedical. We’ll find out how he hopes to simplify diabetes management through technology and the story behind the Bigfoot name. Stacey also hears about a teenager’s first trip away from home and how a diabetes connection on the road made a big difference. Plus, what to do this summer to make school better for your child with diabetes this fall. Episode Transcription: Stacey Simms 0:00 Hi, this is Stacey. Just a reminder my podcast is not intended as medical advice. I am not a doctor. If you have medical questions, please talk to your healthcare provider. Announcer 0:13 This is Diabetes Connections with Stacey Simms. Stacey Simms 0:17 This week, I'll talk to Jeffrey Brewer, the former president and CEO of JDRF. Now he's part of a new venture, Bigfoot Biomedical that aims to simplify life for people with Type One Diabetes. Jeffrey Brewer 0:30 I pick up my smartphone, and I can contact people that I haven't seen in 20 years through Facebo

Stacey talks about the Diabetes Unconference with Christel Marchand Aprigliano of The Perfect D. We also hear from a mom who made a funny diabetes connection in her local Target and, in this first episode, find out more about Stacey's story and what led her to create this podcast.