When Insurance Isn't Enough: A Parent's Type 1 Diabetes Story

When Insurance Isn't Enough: A Parent's Type 1 Diabetes Story

Author: Katie Taylor, Certified Child Life Specialist January 14, 2026 Duration: 56:46

When your child receives a new medical diagnosis, it can feel like the world shifts beneath your feet. Today's guest joins  Katie Taylor to share her daughter's Type 1 Diabetes journey—from dismissing "textbook" symptoms to navigating the financial challenges of families when it comes to chronic illness. This episode explores how one Mom moved from denial to "work mode" and how the HealthWell Foundation helps families afford life-saving medications.

Sponsored in part by HealthWell Foundation—learn how you can help families afford life-saving medications at healthwellfoundation.org.

Download our free Children's Hospital passport to empower your child to feel comfortable in the children's hospital.

Resources

 Connect & Support

Medical information provided is not a substitute for professional advice—please consult your care team.

Keywords: Type 1 Diabetes, T1D diagnosis, HealthWell Foundation, pediatric healthcare, medical financial assistance, insulin costs, child life specialist, diabetes symptoms in kids, middle class healthcare help, medical debt, Dexcom, Omnipod, childhood chronic illness, parenting a diabetic child, Sanford Childrens Hospital, co-pay assistance, pediatric grants, medical parenting, T1D symptoms, diabetes advocate.




Hosted by Katie Taylor, a Certified Child Life Specialist, Inside the Children's Hospital is a quiet space for the often unspoken journey of pediatric illness. This podcast moves beyond the clinical to explore the human heart of the hospital, offering conversations that feel more like a shared cup of coffee in a waiting room than a formal interview. You'll hear directly from parents and caregivers who articulate the complex mix of fear, resilience, and love they experience, while pediatric nurses, doctors, and therapists provide their unique professional perspectives on fostering healing and normalcy. The discussions naturally delve into the practicalities of family life disrupted, the emotional weight carried by all involved, and the small, profound moments of hope that sustain people. It’s a resource for anyone connected to a child’s health challenge, whether you're a family member seeking solidarity, a friend looking to understand, or simply someone interested in the intersection of medicine and humanity. Each episode aims to validate the listener's own feelings, whether they are in the midst of a crisis or reflecting on one, by presenting these authentic narratives without sugarcoating yet always with profound compassion. Tune in to find a sense of community and a deeper appreciation for the delicate, powerful work happening within those walls.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Inside the Children's Hospital
Podcast Episodes
My Daughter Had a Brain AVM: Advocacy, Medical Trauma, and Hope [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:46
As we begin to close out NICU Awareness Month, Katie sits down with Matilda "Tilly" Aldridge, a content marketer and mom. During a normal morning, Adelaide, her oldest child, was rushed to the hospital after Tilly and he…
Best Children's Hospitals (US News): What Parents Need to Know [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:50
How U.S. News Ranks Children's Hospitals—and What Parents Should Know Every year, U.S. News & World Report releases its Best Children's Hospitals rankings—but what do those rankings actually tell families? In this episod…
The NICU Waiting Game: NICU Awareness Month [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:40
Continuing NICU Awareness Month, in this week's episode, Katie is talking to Emily Rosen, the author of Waiting for Max: A NICU Story. Emily is a mom to 2 children, Max and Eva. Emily's book is about her experience being…
GalTheBabyDoc: Humor + Humanity in the NICU [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:27
September is NICU Awareness Month, and in this week's episode, Katie sits down with Dr. Gal, @galthebabydoc, a Neonatologist and Pediatrician, and a dad with experience as a parent in the NICU. He shares his knowledge an…
Helping Kids Cope With Needles: The Science Behind Buzzy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:12
In this episode of Inside the Children's Hospital Podcast, Katie Taylor sits down with Dr. Amy Baxter, pediatric emergency physician, researcher, inventor of Buzzy®, and founder of Pain Care Labs, to explore how childhoo…
When You Become Your Child's Advocate Overnight [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:08
What happens when the child you've dreamed of suddenly receives a diagnosis you've never even heard of? For Deborah, it was Angelman syndrome. In this episode of Inside the Children's Hospital Podcast, Katie Taylor sits…
Prader-Willi Syndrome: Why Caregiving Moms Need Community and Support [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:53
When your child receives a diagnosis, everything changes. In this heartfelt episode, Katie Taylor welcomes back Jessica Patay, founder of We Are Brave Together, to discuss the emotional realities of caregiving, raising a…