Listen On:
There are conversations that change you forever.
This episode is one of them.
In this deeply personal and raw discussion, I sit down with Louise Murray dietitian, diabetes educator, and mum to a child with Type 1 Diabetes to talk about the reality no one prepares you for when your child is diagnosed.
Because no matter how many textbooks you’ve read, degrees you hold, or “knowledge” you think you have… nothing prepares you for the day your child is diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
The Diagnosis That Changes Everything
Type 1 Diabetes doesn’t just affect one child; it reshapes an entire family.
In this conversation, Louise and I talk honestly about the moments behind closed doors:
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The grief that hits when your child’s life changes forever
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The guilt you can’t rationalise but still carry
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The sleep deprivation that becomes your new normal
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The constant background fear that never truly switches off
This is the side of Type 1 Diabetes most people never see and rarely ask about.
When Siblings Are the Silent Ones
One of the most powerful parts of this episode is the conversation around siblings.
We talk about:
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How Louise’s son coped with his sister’s diagnosis
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Why siblings often become the “brave ones” who don’t complain
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The emotional load siblings carry quietly
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The fear they absorb, even when no one explains it
It’s a reminder that Type 1 Diabetes doesn’t live in isolation it lives in family dynamics, bedtime routines, school drop-offs, and whispered conversations after lights out.
School, Sleepovers & The Invisible Mental Load
Returning to school after diagnosis.
Sleepovers that suddenly feel terrifying.
Explaining pumps, sensors, alarms, food rules, and emergency plans… over and over again.
We dive into:
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The reality of school life with Type 1 Diabetes
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Why sleepovers are emotionally exhausting for parents
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The constant mental calculations running in the background
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The pressure of making the “right” decisions, especially around pumps and tech
And yes… we even talk about grocery bills and why feeding a child with Type 1 Diabetes isn’t as simple as people think.
Even Health Professionals Get It Wrong
As health professionals ourselves, we openly admit:
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What we didn’t understand about Type 1 Diabetes before becoming parents
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What we wish clinicians knew about supporting families emotionally
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Why education alone isn’t enough, empathy matters just as much
This episode is for parents, carers, health professionals, and anyone who wants to truly understand what living with Type 1 Diabetes looks like beyond the surface.
You Are Not Meant to Do This Alone
One of the most important takeaways?
Find another parent who gets it.
Someone who understands the alarms at 2am.
The fear of letting go.
The exhaustion you don’t even have words for.
Because being seen and understood can make all the difference.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
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What we didn’t understand about T1D as health professionals
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The grief, guilt, and trauma parents experience after diagnosis
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How siblings are impacted and often overlooked
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Navigating school, sleepovers, and social life
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The pump debate: choice vs responsibility
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Why parents of kids with T1D are so tired
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The rise in Type 1 Diabetes diagnoses
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One daily non-negotiable that helps Louise stay sane
…and so much more.
Join Us in the Fight Against Type 1 Diabetes
We’re proud to announce our partnership with Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF).
💙 We donate $1 from every online order to support research and advocacy working towards a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.
Together, we can make a difference.
👉 Explore our products at www.synxbody.com
👉 Join our community inside SynxBody Squad on Facebook
👉 Follow along on Instagram @synxbody and @rachael.ferguson, or on TikTok @synxbody
If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to feel less alone.
Because these are the conversations that matter even when they’re hard.
