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What would life look like if Type 1 diabetes suddenly… stopped controlling every decision you make?

In this episode of The Healthy Diabetic Podcast, Coach Ken sits down with Katie Beth Hand, a participant in the groundbreaking Eledon clinical trial, which is exploring a potential functional cure for Type 1 diabetes through islet cell transplantation and targeted immune therapy.

Katie Beth shares her powerful story—from her unexpected diagnosis at age 26 to becoming Patient 9 in the Eledon trial, a study that has allowed several participants to live without insulin.

Together, Ken and Katie explore the emotional reality of diagnosis, the challenges of navigating diabetes as an adult, and the excitement surrounding emerging research that may redefine the future of diabetes treatment.

This conversation goes beyond the science. It highlights the lived experience of diabetes and the hope that real progress is finally being made toward a cure.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Katie Beth’s diagnosis story and being hospitalized in diabetic ketoacidosis
• The emotional and mental health impact of adult-onset Type 1 diabetes
• How the Eladon clinical trial works
• Islet cell transplantation explained
• The difference between traditional immunosuppressants and the trial medication Tegaprubart
• Why eliminating severe lows has been the most life-changing part of the trial
• The challenges of misdiagnosis in adult Type 1 diabetes
• Why multiple cure pathways (Vertex, Eladon, prevention trials) are important
• The future hurdles to making a cure widely available
• Why advocacy and research funding still matter

Connect With Katie on Instagram

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
📞 Schedule a Free Call: Book Now
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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

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