Happy National Volunteer Week! From April 15 to April 21, we are honoring our volunteers and all that they make possible. Today, we celebrate those who share their experience and hope—our Outreach Volunteers!
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Receiving a type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnosis can be a traumatic and an isolating experience. JDRF’s T1D Connections Program is a resource available to the T1D community that connects individuals to others who understand what it’s like to live with T1D. JDRF Outreach Volunteers play the critical lead role in building early relationships with newly diagnosed individuals and their families—welcoming, supporting, guiding, and connecting them to the larger T1D community and JDRF.
Suzanne Gallagher is a vital part of the Eastern PA network of Outreach Volunteers, who are the lifeblood of our mentoring program. Read below to find out what being a part of our local T1D Connections program means to Suzanne, who has a son with T1D.
What is your T1D connection? Tell us about your loved one living with T1D.
My son, Alex, was diagnosed with T1D at age 14, when he was a freshman in high school. We have no history of Type 1 in our family so, not surprisingly, we were blindsided.
Those first two weeks remain a blur. We were trying so hard to absorb all of the information while trying to sort out our new normal. I didn’t speak to anyone about what we were dealing with. I didn’t think friends or family would really understand, and to be honest, I didn’t feel like I had the energy to walk anyone else through what we were living every day. I was very fortunate that, for the most part, Alex was cooperative in trying to follow the protocol. He allowed me to micromanage his carb intake, which went a long way in keeping his A1C under control for those first few years.
Why did you decide to get involved with JDRF? Why as an Outreach Volunteer?
Prior to my JDRF connection, my intention was to become a Diabetes Educator. However, I learned that the requirements had been pretty significantly altered in recent years, which would have meant a five- to six-year plan. I was too impatient for that. I wanted to start making a contribution right away. That led me to JDRF where I have been a volunteer for about five years.
When I was offered the opportunity to become involved in the Outreach program, I jumped at the chance. My goal had always been to connect with and offer assistance to those who were going through a T1D diagnosis, so the Outreach Volunteer program was a perfect fit.
We have all been where you are, and we are ready to help in any way we can. Use us.
Do you have a favorite Outreach success story?
I have found a wide range of responses from my families. Some love the opportunity to share their stories and ask questions, while others have let me know that they really don’t want to talk, but love getting the emails and updates. Often, just knowing there is a resource or lifeline out there is reassuring. And still, there are families that I have never heard back from, but I keep them in the loop because you never know what nugget of information might be provided at just the right time.
When I am able to speak with one of the families, they are always so appreciative. It can mean so much to have a sounding board. I think going through this experience of a T1D diagnosis can be very isolating. There are so many more avenues of communication and resources via the internet now, but sometimes speaking with someone who genuinely understands the magnitude of living with or caring for someone with T1D can be such a relief. Someone who has gone through the experience of setting your alarm every two hours through the night to check the blood sugar of your sleeping child because they tend to crash during the night. Not everyone gets that.
What would you tell someone with T1D/a newly diagnosed family about JDRF and the T1D Connections Program?
I would tell someone with a T1D diagnosis that you are not blazing a new path alone. We have all been where you are, and we are ready to help in any way we can. Use us. We are all so happy to share information and resources and may be able to provide just the tip to make your day a tiny bit better. This is such a warm and supportive community filled with dedicated and compassionate people, and I am so proud to be a part of it.
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Learn more about JDRF Outreach Volunteers
A part of our T1D Connections Program, JDRF Outreach Volunteers have a personal connection to T1D. They are caregivers, spouses, and other adults who either have T1D themselves or have a loved one affected by the disease. All of our volunteers understand how overwhelming it can be to adapt to the daily demands of managing T1D—and they are here to help get you through it.
You do not need to feel alone in your journey—request an Outreach Volunteer! In addition to providing an empathetic ear, your volunteer can also help introduce you to your local T1D community at JDRF events.
If you are interested in helping others by sharing your T1D experience, please contact Outreach Manager CarlaAnn Henry at chenry@jdrf.org or 610-227-0361.
