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In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Sara Jacklin, a mom whose son Mitchell was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at nine years old. Sara shares the family’s incredible journey — from early signs and diagnosis during the holidays, to balancing sports, school, and diabetes management without missing a beat.

You’ll hear how their family’s calm mindset, teamwork, and open communication with teachers and coaches helped create a supportive environment for Mitchell to thrive. From managing blood sugars on the baseball field to setting up 504 plans and preparing for independence, Sara offers real-world wisdom every T1D parent needs to hear.

If you’re a parent, caregiver, or educator in the diabetes community, this episode will leave you encouraged, informed, and inspired to see what’s possible when you lead with confidence and perspective.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• How staying calm at diagnosis can shape a child’s confidence with diabetes
• Building independence in your child without fear or overprotection
• The importance of advocating for your child at school — and why a detailed 504 plan matters
• Managing sports and activity with T1D (yes, even tackle football!)
• Maintaining mental health and teamwork as a diabetes family
• Tips for balancing parent responsibilities and creating self-sufficient kids

🔗 Resources Mentioned

• 504 Plans for School: Beyond Type 1
• Instagram

About the Host - Coach Ken

I’m Coach Ken Kniss, founder of Simplifying Life With Diabetes and host of The Healthy Diabetic Podcast. I help people living with T1D cut through the overwhelm, confusion, fear, and distrust in their daily decisions, so they can feel confident and live without consistently worrying about lows, their body image, or long term complications.

🌐 Website: SimplifyingDiabetes.com
📚 The Diabetes Nutrition Master Course: Start Learning
💪 Work with me: More Than A1C - 1on1 Coaching
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Podcast Disclaimer: Nothing that you hear on The Healthy Diabetic Podcast should be considered medical advice or otherwise; please always consult your medical TEAM before making any changes to your Diabetes manag

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