🔄Embracing Change in Type 1 Diabetes: A Mother's Journey from Fear to Hope ✨

embracing change normal blood glucose normal blood sugars nutrition for type 1 diabetes t1d management t1d nutrition therapeutic carbohydrate reduction type 1 diabetes youarenotalone Sep 03, 2024

🔄 Introduction: The Inevitable Need for Change

“Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tiptoe if you must, but take a step.”
- Naeem Callaway

This quote can reflect the journey many families living with T1D face when deciding to make changes to how they manage diabetes. Feeling fear and hesitation when trying to make these decisions are natural, especially when the stakes are so high. But it is important to recognize that while these fears are valid, they should not hold us back from taking steps toward better health and a brighter future for our child.

💔🤔 My Personal Journey: A Mother's Hesitation

When our son Lachlan was first diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes on September 7, 2015 (don’t we all just have that diagnosis date etched within us), at the age of 9, it felt like our world had turned upside down. My husband, Matt, immediately recognized the need for change. He knew that to protect our son’s health and future, we needed to take action. But for me, it wasn’t so simple. I was hesitant, scared, and unsure of what we should do and how to move forward. I didn’t want Lachlan to feel different from his peers. I worried about whether a Therapeutic Carbohydrate Reduction (TCR) nutrition strategy was the right choice for him. Would it stunt his growth? Would he be able to accomplish everything he wanted in life? The uncertainty was overwhelming. I vividly remember a conversation with Lachlan’s Grade 4 teacher. After informing her that we were making changes to his diet, she asked, “How long will he follow this?” I responded, “Oh, I don’t know… a few weeks. I can’t imagine our family will eat this way forever.” I wasn’t convinced this change was the right one. I didn’t know what to expect. The only thing I really knew was that the way we were currently managing diabetes ended up with Lachlan on a blood sugar roller coaster and I didn’t know what to do to make it stop.

🌟 The Turning Point: Seeing the Positive Impact of Change

But then everything changed. After that first meal, after that first day of implementing a TCR strategy shortly after Lachlan’s diagnosis, I saw something remarkable. Lachlan’s blood glucose levels were in the normal range all day long for the first time ever. But it wasn’t just the numbers that changed—my son came alive again. The bloodshot eyes, the moodiness, the tiredness, the irritability, the picking on his younger brother —they were gone. Lachlan seemed more like himself again.

From that day forward, I knew there was no turning back. I saw right away that this had helped. And yet… it still felt hard – I was relieved that things were better and that we had found a way forward, but I can tell you that back then, as we were adjusting to it all, it didn’t feel easy. What I did know was that by being open to change, we were giving Lachlan the best possible chance at a healthier and brighter future.

🔄💡 Change is a Constant

Change is a constant in life, and when it comes to managing a chronic condition like Type 1 diabetes, change is not only inevitable but often necessary. In my previous blog post, "The Missing Piece in Type 1 Diabetes Management: Understanding Therapeutic Nutrition" we explored the concept of therapeutic nutrition and how it plays a crucial role in effectively managing Type 1 diabetes. However, understanding the need for change and actually making those changes are two very different things.

🧠😨 Why Change is Difficult: The Psychology Behind the Fear

Change can be daunting for anyone, but it becomes particularly challenging when it involves something as critical as managing a chronic illness like Type 1 diabetes. The fear of change often stems from a deep-rooted psychological response to uncertainty and the unknown. In this case, the diagnosis of a medical condition itself is substantial, let alone any other changes such as changing what foods you serve your family!

❓💭 Uncertainty and Loss

“Change, even really positive change, involves a surprising amount of loss. Loss of the familiar. Even if the familiar is unpleasant or utterly miserable, at least we know the characters and the setting and the plot.

To write a new chapter is to venture into the unknown, to stare at a blank page, and there is nothing more terrifying than a blank page.” – Lori Gottlieb

One of the primary reasons people fear change is due to uncertainty and the perceived loss that may accompany it.

When faced with the possibility of change, whether it’s a new treatment plan or a different dietary approach, individuals often fear what they might lose—the comfort of familiarity, the perceived safety of the known, or even a sense of control. This fear can be paralyzing, making it difficult to move forward, even when the current situation is not ideal.

😟🚧 Fear of Failure and the Unknown

Another significant factor contributing to the fear of change is the fear of failure. The unknown is inherently scary, and when it comes to managing Type 1 diabetes, the stakes are high. Parents worry about making the wrong decisions, about how changes might affect their child’s health—physically, mentally, and emotionally—and about whether they have the skills and knowledge to implement new strategies effectively.

📚🔍 Lack of Competency, Knowledge, and Skills

This fear is often compounded by a perceived lack of competency, knowledge, and skills. When you don’t feel equipped to handle change, it can be even more daunting. The comfort of the familiar, even if it’s not yielding the best results, can seem safer than venturing into new territory. A Type 1 diabetes diagnosis immediately leads to change. I remember, and I am sure you can relate, it seemed to turn our world upside down. Those first few days and weeks, we were learning, scrambling, and simply adjusting to a new normal. This is where the importance of education, support, and access to the right tools comes into play. My husband and I scoured the internet and searched for books for whatever research, information, anecdotes, and support were available about how to manage T1D effectively and improve our son’s daily life!

🏆🌱 Facing the Fear: How to Overcome the Hesitation to Change

Overcoming the fear of change is not easy, but it is possible!

👣💪 Acknowledge Your Feelings to Be More Ready for That First Step

The first step in effectively managing diabetes might not always involve diabetes itself. Sometimes, it starts with processing your feelings about the diagnosis. Dealing with a diabetes diagnosis—whether it's your own or your child's—can be overwhelming, and often, there's little encouragement to reflect on or discuss these emotions. It’s completely normal to feel scared, anxious, sad, angry, or frustrated.

To manage these emotions, try writing down your thoughts, or talking to a close friend, family member, or a trusted healthcare professional. Expressing and validating your feelings can help you better understand them. By acknowledging and working through your emotions, you may find yourself more prepared and motivated to focus on managing diabetes. Recognizing how this diagnosis impacts you, your child, and your family can make it easier to take that crucial first step toward effective diabetes management.

🧑‍🏫🤝 Seek Support and Education to Build Knowledge and Confidence

Another way to overcome fear is to arm yourself with knowledge, tools, and support. Educating yourself about Type 1 diabetes, therapeutic nutrition, and other management strategies can help alleviate the fear of the unknown. Organizations like DiaVerge Diabetes and T1D Nutrition provide the knowledge, resources, and guidance necessary to successfully implement a Therapeutic Carbohydrate Reduction strategy. Access to the right tools, education, and support is crucial when navigating the changes needed in diabetes management, and today, they are available right at your fingertips!

By seeking out support, you can build the confidence necessary to make informed decisions and take control of your child’s health.

Unfortunately, DiaVerge Diabetes and T1D Nutrition did not exist when my son was diagnosed. This is one of the reasons Lisa La Nasa, diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes herself, started DiaVerge Diabetes, and I completed my graduate science degree in nutrition and founded T1D Nutrition—to fill this void and be the source of education, knowledge, providing the tools and support families need.

With the right support, you can make the transition smoother, quicker, and more effective.

🔢🚀 Start Small—Incremental Changes Can Lead to Significant Outcomes

Change doesn’t have to happen all at once. Starting with small, incremental changes can make the process less overwhelming and more manageable. Over time, these small steps can lead to significant outcomes in managing Type 1 diabetes.

🤗👥 The Role of Support Systems: You’re Not Alone

Sometimes, the best way to overcome fear is to see the positive results that others have achieved. Success stories, like those shared in online communities and Facebook groups, can provide the motivation and reassurance needed to take that first step toward change. When making significant changes in diabetes management, having a support system is invaluable. You are not alone in this journey. There are resources and communities available to help guide you every step of the way. And we often need to see others doing what we are hoping to achieve!

Online communities and Facebook groups offer a space where families can share their experiences and support one another. These communities can help light the path to your future, showing you what is possible and reassuring you that your child can still achieve all their dreams and goals. They will adapt, grow, and become stronger, healthier, and happier with the right approach.

🌅🛤️ Conclusion: Embrace the Change for a Better Tomorrow

Change is never easy, but it is often necessary, especially when it comes to managing a chronic condition like Type 1 diabetes. By understanding the psychology behind the fear of change, seeking out the right support, and taking that first step, you can overcome the hesitation and embrace the changes needed to improve your child’s health and quality of life. Reach out for support, utilize the resources available to you, and take that crucial first step toward a better tomorrow. The journey may be challenging, but I hope that, like me, you and your child will find the rewards are worth it.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you need support. You can contact me directly at [email protected]!

📋 Here is an ever-growing list of health practitioners, organizations, resources, Facebook groups & pages, recipe sites, related to the implementation of a Therapeutic Carbohydrate Reduction nutrition strategy for Type 1 diabetes. You may find that watching, reading and following these trailblazers can help light the path to your child's future, showing you what is possible.

As this list is constantly growing, I apologize if I have missed anyone!

👩‍⚕️ Health Practitioners

Allison Herschede Diaverge Diabetes Coach
DiaVerge Diabetes
Dr. Ian Lake
Dr. Ryan Attar - Naturopathic Physician
Low Carb Dietitian, LLC
The Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre
T1D Nutrition

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 T1D Parents’ Pages/Groups plus some adult pages/groups

BesT1DayEver
Controlling LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults/Type 1)
Diabète de type 1 - Alimentation faible en glucides
Dominating Type 1 Diabetes
Dr. Bernsteins Diabetes Solution
DT1 Glycémie Normale
Julian The Diabadass
Let Me Be 83: My Dude with Diabetes
Lester on T1D
Low Carb and Fasting
Ricky's Rocking Low Carb Life
Taking on T1D
Team London T1D
The T1D Mimi
Type Wonderful Life
Typeonegrit
TypeOneNormal
T1 Mom
T1 Smart
T1Defying the Odds
T1D & Normal BGs: Where the Unicorns Live
T1D Journey In The Namib
T1D Triumph
Will and Goody- Our SMART CARB Life

🗄 Organizations

Institute for Personalized Nutrition Therapy (IPTN)
Let Me Be 83: My Dude with Diabetes
Low Carb Down Under
Low Carb New Zealand - NZ
Low Carb USA
Metabolic Mind
MetabolicMultiplier
Nutrition Network
The SMHP

🍽 Recipe Groups/Pages / Restaurants / Cafes (we wish we could list them all)

All Day I Dream About Food
KEEP TONE cafe
Keto & Low Carb (Easy Recipes)
Keto Loco
Keyto Your Heart Bakery
Low Carb Maven
Low Carb Swaps
Low Carb Yum
Rosette's Mix
Type 1 low carb lunches and snacks

🛠 Resources