November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and as one of our core specialties, La Rabida delivers important care to thousands of patients and their families dealing with type 1 diabetes each year.

Type 1 diabetes, which accounts for about 5-10 percent of all diabetes cases in the U.S., is caused when the pancreas no longer produces insulin. Insulin is a hormone that lets the sugar in your blood enter your cells where it can be used for energy.  Without insulin, the sugar will continue to build up in the bloodstream, damaging the body and leading to serious complications, including death if untreated.  People with type 1 diabetes require artificial insulin, typically given with an injection or insulin pump.

La Rabida’s diabetes education classes, paired with recent advancements in technology have allowed for huge gains in preventing complications and helping kids be kids.

Macklin was diagnosed with diabetes at 15 months old.  Now 15, using an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor to track his blood sugar in real-time, he is focused on high school and hitting the road with his learner's permit.

“The technology is amazing, it leaves me excited and hopeful for what the future will bring,” said Macklin.  “I know the team at La Rabida has my back and will help me face the future head-on.”

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, La Rabida has worked hard to move many diabetes education, technology, and nutritional classes online.  These programs, now hosted via Zoom are offered regularly and focus on the patient, their family and caregivers, and occasionally staff and teachers from the child’s school.

La Rabida also offers:

• The ABC’s of Diabetes: Offered every other month, this 3-hour virtual class covers the basics of care, meal planning, insulin dosing, exercise, glucose checks, treating highs and lows, sick care, and school care.
• Intro to Insulin Pumps and Sensors: Offered every other month, this hour long virtual class helps families and patients stay up to date on the rapidly changing technology that helps manage diabetes. The class outlines the types of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors available and what they can and cannot do to help manage diabetes.
• School Nurse Conferences: Typically held in the fall, La Rabida also offers classes to equip school health professionals with everything they need to know to help manage diabetes during the school day.

La Rabida’s patients, parents, and caregivers recognize the education and work needed to balance, insulin, snacks, exercise, school, and technology to successfully manage this life-long disease.

According to Macklin, “Sometimes I think I have more responsibilities than an adult!”

This story was featured in the November 2020 issue of eCurrents. Read the full issue here.