“We had a nurse stop by and say, ‘I have Type 1 diabetes, and I want you to know it’s going to be okay.’ That moment changed everything.” – Stacey Simms

A Type 1 diabetes diagnosis for a young child can feel devastating. For Stacey Simms, that moment arrived when her son was just 23 months old. What followed was a difficult period of hospitalizations and relentless care—but it was also a journey that uncovered a deep well of community, humor, and family resilience.

In this episode, we sit down with Stacey Simms, broadcaster, author of The World’s Worst Diabetes Mom, and creator of the popular Diabetes Connections Podcast, to hear her story and share vital lessons for parents navigating life with Type 1 diabetes (T1D).

About Our Guest: Stacey Simms

Stacey is a respected voice in the T1D community. Through her Diabetes Connections podcast and her book series, she shares stories and essential resources for families facing a T1D diagnosis.

• Listen: Diabetes Connections Podcast
• Read: The World’s Worst Diabetes Mom Series
• Connect: Follow Stacey on Instagram

5 Essential T1D Insights for Parents

Stacey shares her hard-won wisdom, focusing on advocacy, routine, and self-compassion:

1. Don’t Settle for One Test: If you suspect Type 1 diabetes, push for a comprehensive screening. Early diagnosis is key.
2. Normalize Care: Integrate finger sticks and injections into your daily routine. Making them a regular, expected part of life can help reduce fear and stress for your child.
3. Embrace Humor and Play: Use laughter and medical play to help your child feel a sense of power and control over their daily care.
4. Find Your People: Building a support system is crucial, but remember: not every T1D community is a fit, and that’s okay. Keep looking until you find the right support for your family.
5. Reject the Myth of Perfection: “Safe and happy is enough.” Drop the pressure to be a perfect T1D parent. Living with chronic illness is about resilience, not flawlessness.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

In this conversation, you will learn:

• The 4 Ts of Type 1 diabetes every parent should know (often the early warning signs).
• Practical strategies for advocating for testing beyond a simple finger stick.
• Coping strategies to reduce trauma for young children facing frequent medical procedures.
• How to effectively use humor and medical play in daily diabetes management.
• Why the pursuit of perfection is a harmful myth when parenting through a chronic illness.

Episode Timeline Highlights

• 00:00: Stacey’s background and the start of the Diabetes Connections podcast.
• 02:00: Recognizing the early signs of Type 1 diabetes: The 4 Ts.
• 06:00: The emotional moments of diagnosis, hospital stay, and first injections.
• 10:00: Moving past the initial tears and establishing a sustainable T1D routine.
• 15:00: Tips for explaining diabetes to kids at various developmental ages.
• 18:00: The power of humor, medical play, and building resilience.
• 22:00: The importance of building community, like “Moms’ Night Out.”
• 25:00: The most valuable lessons Stacey learned as a parent to a child with T1D.
• 27:00: Why rejecting perfection and focusing on “safe and happy” is the best approach.

Support Our Host & Show

If you found value in this conversation about Type 1 diabetes resilience, please explore the work and community resources from our host, Katie Taylor:

• Insights & Articles: Join Katie Taylor’s Substack here for in-depth insights on child development and support.
• Check out the SupportSpot App to help your child cope with their healthcare journey

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