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
Autism, Advocacy and the Power of a Medical ID Bracelet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:14
Tara Cohen opens up about her son Will's autism diagnosis and how it transformed her family and career. From navigating meltdowns to discovering AAC as a communication lifeline, Tara shares her honest reflections on pare…
When Your Baby is Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes: Marlee's Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:54
"My baby went from fussy to lifeless in hours—by the time we reached the PICU, they said he might have had six hours to live." In this episode, TikTok Influencer and Medical Mom Marlee Brandon, a pediatric speech-languag…
Brain Surgery for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: Managing Infantile Spasms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:14
Join us for an incredibly candid and informative conversation with Audrey Vernick, a passionate advocate and the Director of Patient and Family Advocacy for the Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance. Audrey shares the powe…
Speech Therapy at Home: Expert Tips to Help Your Child Communicate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:20
"The excitement that the kids feel when they are seeing you... and they know today's session with Ms. Luba and they can't wait to see you." - Luba Kaplan When a child enters the medical system, parents often meet many sp…
Type 1 Diabetes: Finding Community and Humor After Diagnosis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:44
When Stacey's toddler was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, her family's world turned upside down. In this episode, she shares the early warning signs, the struggle of those first two weeks of injections, and how humor and…
NICU Stay, Down Syndrome, and Infant Loss: A Grief Journey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:45
In this incredibly personal and moving episode, we sit down with Teejay and Jon, the authors of the gentle children's book Clemence, to share the full, raw story of their daughter, Nadiya. Their journey began with an une…