Natalie Griffin – A Picturesque View of Diabetes
Graham Daugherty • April 21, 2016
TL;DR After 15 years of living with type 1 diabetes, Sasha shares her journey from diagnosis and denial to acceptance, advocacy, and a career in healthcare. Through challenges like fear of injections, managing diabetes as an athlete, and navigating school and college, she discovered strength, community, and purpose. Her story shows that while diabetes is difficult, it can also shape identity, open doors, and lead to meaningful connections and opportunities.
Type 1 diabetes affects mental health in youth and families. Learn about risks like depression, anxiety, and distress, plus support options and when to seek help.
Type 1 diabetes is often misdiagnosed as flu, UTI, or viral illness. Learn key symptoms, DKA warning signs, and when to ask your doctor for testing to avoid delays.
Follow one patient’s journey with type 1 diabetes from childhood diagnosis to college life, sharing challenges, independence, and finding support along the way.
A parent shares how naming type 1 diabetes “Frank” and reframing it helped protect their child’s identity, improve mental health, and strengthen family support.
Donate your Colorado state tax refund to the Children’s Diabetes Foundation. Learn how to use form DR 0104CH to support T1D patients and families.
Learn the three stages of type 1 diabetes and why early screening matters, including how detection can reduce DKA risk and delay onset with new therapies.
With Father’s Day just around the corner, I am thinking about my dad even more than I usually do. He was a special man who lived a remarkable, impactful life right up until the day he passed away at the age of 98, a little over a year and a half ago. He was a decorated World War II veteran, a bookie in Vegas during the Rat Pack era who married the love of his life between rounds of a prize fight, and who later went on to become a successful entrepreneur. Most importantly though, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
Author: Lindsay Klatt Being the dad of two daughters already has its highs and lows; having one of them (who admittedly was already a little feisty) diagnosed with type 1 diabetes makes him a saint. My wonderful dad navigated these challenges with such love and grace. As we approach Father’s Day and as I recently celebrated my 27th Diaversary, I reflect on the things he deserves to be thanked for. There are too many to count and no way to properly express gratitude for the additional struggles type 1 fathers face, but here’s a toast to a few of the things etched on my heart: Cheers to my dad who, when I was diagnosed, had the best balance of acknowledging the sadness of the event and being encouraging for the future. It made me feel seen to see him upset, and to see him determined. He has always maintained that balance I am so grateful for.
