Episode 140 | Melanie’s Story - A toddler diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes

" It was like I was leaving home with a newborn because I had no idea what to do. We were in survival mode for those 3 days in the hospital. It was just nothing that I ever expected to be dealing with.'-Melanie Smith

Melanie shares how she learned of her daughter's diagnosis of type 1 diabetes when her daughter was 18 months old. She so vulnerably shares their journey from diagnosis to life at home. This story is packed full of great insight to families navigating a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.

[2:50] Melanie introduces her family

[5:33 Noticing an excessive thirst in her daughter was the first symptom of diabetes

[7:05] Malia's energy levels were depleted

[8:55] Melanie made a list of concerns to tell her doctor

[11:30] The pediatrician urges them to go the emergency room

[13:04] Melanie shares the trauma that incurred for her

[15:45] Advocating for Maliah to eat while hospitalized

[17:36] Processing the news of her daughter being diabetic

[19:17] Learning how to care for Maliah

[21:30] Melanie shares the range of emotions she felt processing the news of the diagnosis

[24:30] Using a continuous pump monitor her diabetes

[25:13] Counting the carbohydrates

[28:08] Watching her sugar levels at first was overwhelming

[30:39] Advocating for your young child

[33:00] Feeling reassured starting Maliah in Preschool as her teacher is diabetic

[36:30] Melanie shares her concerns about her newborn having diabetes

[38:16] Type 1 diabetes misconceptions and value of education

[39:26] Questioning how long Maliah had diabetes for

[40:59] Finding a community to lean on

[44:30] Celebrating Maliah's diaversary

Connect with Melanie on Facebook

Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Parents, download our free parent starter kit.

When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:

• Give medicine to your child without it becoming a wrestling match
• Prepare your child (and yourself) for a shot so they can feel less anxious
• Create and use a coping plan for any medical appointment or procedure

The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing.

Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here.

Shop for your CLOC gear here.

Catch up with CLOC on Instagram, Facebook and meet Katie for a Q+A every Monday at 10 AM CST.