024: Scientist Noah Gardner on Living with Type 1 (Juvenile) Diabetes
Uninvisible Pod with Lauren Freedman
Shownotes Transcript
Noah Gardner is a scientist based in Massachusetts. He was diagnosed with type 1 (juvenile) diabetes in 1995, at the age of 12. While this autoimmune condition is genetic, his diagnosis came completely out of the blue to both him and his family. A little background on T1 diabetes: in an autoimmune reaction, the immune system attacks beta cells in the pancreas (which produce insulin), thus destroying them. Hence the need for insulin and devices like insulin pumps, which effectively act as an external pancreas for survivors. 24 years since his diagnosis, Noah is living in central Massachusetts with his wife and toddler, working at biotech company Intellia Therapeutics on gene editing. And he is here to share his story with us!
**Join us as Noah shares… **
the classic symptoms of T1 diabetes
how he was diagnosed
that T1 diabetes is a genetic disease and an autoimmune condition
how T1 diabetes works
how he has worked to manage his symptoms
the distinction between his pre-diabetes life and his post-diagnosis life; and the physical and emotional grieving and growth processes involved – especially as a child
technologies that have improved his quality of life (and these get better every year): insulin pumps and a CGM (continuous glucose monitor)
what makes T1 diabetes easier to manage than some other invisible illnesses: it’s pretty straightforward, because treatment is very targeted
health complications and implications of diabetes
that, at 36, he is already dealing with one complication of diabetes: glaucoma
the community he has slowly built in his post-diagnosis life
how he has become an advocate through the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
the stigma associated with diabetes, and how this can affect kids in particular
the biggest stressors associated with diabetes: health insurance (an awareness of always being sure to have it), and that you are constantly on alert re: your symptoms and management
that there is still no cure for diabetes
how being chronically ill has impacted his personal and professional relationships
the challenge of traveling with an insulin pump and a CGM
his thoughts on the insulin crisis and health insurance concerns with regard to diabetes
his tips for living with T1 diabetes, and how families can manage the disease together This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit uninvisiblepod.substack.com)