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Published May 26, 2020

#339 Badlands

Explore Dakota's inspiring journey through vision loss and type 1 diabetes, highlighting his resilience and the evolution of diabetes management through technology and community support, all driven by unwavering determination and a positive outlook.
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Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes logo

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Episode Highlights

  • First Memory

    shares his first memory of living with diabetes, a vivid recollection from when he was six years old. He describes a hypo incident where he couldn't make it past the landing of the stairs, and the cumbersome process of checking his blood sugar with outdated technology 1. The glucometer of the time was large and required a significant amount of blood, making the process daunting for a child 2. Dakota recalls, "The meters were about the size of your phone and weighed as much as a brick."

    The blood has to saturate that little pad on the strip, just like a ketone strip.

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    This experience highlights the challenges faced by those managing diabetes in the past.

       

    Family Dynamics

    Growing up with type 1 diabetes, Dakota faced unique challenges, especially during his parents' divorce. He explains how managing diabetes was complicated by the lack of consistent parental guidance and the emotional turmoil of family dynamics 3. Dakota emphasizes the importance of sharing his story to help others understand the complexities of living with diabetes. "Sharing my story has helped more people than I can count," he notes, highlighting the impact of personal experiences on community support.

    If they're not on the same page, you're not on the same page.

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    His experiences underscore the need for a supportive environment in managing chronic conditions.

       

    Health Challenges

    Dakota's journey with diabetes led to significant health challenges, including vision loss and heart surgery. He recounts how losing his eyesight prompted him to embrace modern diabetes management tools, despite his initial resistance 4. Additionally, Dakota underwent open-heart surgery to address a congenital heart defect, which required ongoing medical attention 5. "I go see my cardiologist every two years," he mentions, illustrating the long-term commitment to health management.

    I decided to finally jump on board when I lost my eyesight due to the diabetes.

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    These experiences reflect the profound impact of diabetes on his life and the importance of adapting to new technologies.

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