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Episode 23: Parenting Through Diagnosis: Tiara on Raising Alaska with Strength and Love
In this deeply honest and powerful episode, Jacqui speaks with Tiara, a mother navigating the early days of her daughter Alaska’s recent Type 1 diabetes diagnosis. At just 11 years old, Alaska's diagnosis came after months of confusing symptoms, misdiagnoses, and even a moment of collapse — all just days before starting high school.
Tiara shares how she trusted her gut despite dismissals from medical professionals, and how the diagnosis reshaped every part of their family’s world overnight. From managing Alaska’s medical anxiety and sensory sensitivities to advocating for her at school and learning a whole new medical language, Tiara’s story is one of fierce love, resilience, and the invisible weight parents carry.
This episode is for every parent who's ever felt overwhelmed, every child trying to be brave, and every family finding their way through a new diagnosis.
💬 What We Cover:
- The long path to diagnosis and how fainting during a board game led to hospital
- Alaska’s medical anxiety and why a pump made all the difference
- Navigating two new high schools in two weeks after diagnosis
- The emotional toll on parents — and how Tiara is coping
- Dyscalculia, tech, and double-checking insulin math
- Finding a diabetes educator who changed everything
- Tiara’s advice for other families just starting out on this journey
- Why the Type 1 community matter so much
📲 Follow Alaska and Tiara:
Instagram: @alaska_and_mila
Alaska is proudly rocking her pump and sensor and sharing her story with the world.
Further Resources:
Type 1 Foundation Website
Follow us on Instagram
Join the Facebook Group
If you'd like to share your story with our podcast listeners, please email: podcast@type1foundation.com.au
Published on 2 weeks ago