My name is Addie Salz and I co-founded the support group associated with the JDRF, “The Other 1” to support the siblings of children with T1D.

My brother Jonah Salz was diagnosed with T1D when he was 21 months old, today he is 13 years old. I was 3 years old upon his diagnosis and today I am 16 years old. Ever since that day, my family dynamic has been different. T1D has become engraved in my family. My parents are the most supportive people in my life despite the attention they need to give to my brother at times. There are always times when parents don’t understand the natural feeling of neglect or misunderstanding when it comes to dealing with their siblings with T1D.

Around the time of the walk this past year, my mom and I realized it was time to form a support group for all of the supportive siblings in this region and all across the country. I knew at the walk there were many other siblings like me, showing up and showing their utter support and love for their siblings. The experience of being a sibling in general is rough and being a sibling of someone with T1D adds even more problems.

In conjunction with another high school sibling and with guidance from our Chapter staff partner, Katie Jenkins, we decided it would be an amazing idea to set up a support group and start it at the TypeOneNation Summit in March 2023. This year I got together with some of the siblings attending the TypeOneNation Summit event and started a strong community that I hope to continue to grow and spread.

At this time, I would like to invite all siblings (ages 12-18) to join me, Addie on August 16th, 2023 at 7pm via Zoom to meet and greet one another and discuss topics and plans for continuing our support network. Please register today: https://jdrf.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMvd-muqT4sHdwmkvSfO7uqqA1Rl5hjBczj