June is Pride Month and to celebrate Pride in the Diabetes community, we are highlighting amazing stories from the LGBTQ+ diabetes community to show that diabetes doesn’t stop you from being who you are and living your best life. Please be welcoming and respectful to our guests and if you feel the need to be bigoted, hateful or discriminatory, we will protect our guests and respond in-kind. Happy Pride!
In this episode of Diabetes Doing Things, Tanner Saunders shares his personal journey of being diagnosed with diabetes at a young age, highlighting the intersection of travel, diabetes management, and finding a supportive community. The conversation also includes stories about him and his partner, who both have diabetes and work in the journalism industry, emphasizing their synchronized approach to managing their health condition. Additionally, the episode explores his experience working in travel while living with diabetes, discussing the challenges and strategies involved in traveling with the condition.
Topics discussed:
Personal Journey with Diabetes
Being diagnosed with diabetes at a young age
Embracing self-reliance and independence in managing insulin injections
Importance of empowerment and self-care in living with diabetes
Normalizing diabetes in small-town communities and schools
Challenges of explaining the condition to peers and adults
Balancing freedom and support from parents
Relationship Dynamics with Diabetes
Couple's experiences: Meeting through work and bonding over diabetes
Synchronized management using Omnipod and DexCom
Navigating conflicts and daily life while supporting each other
Traveling with Diabetes
Informing airline staff about the condition
Managing supplies and blood sugar levels during flights
Travel accessibility regardless of financial status
Setting goals, utilizing resources like the Points Guy, and using credit cards for travel benefits
Exploring local and international destinations for personal growth
Finding joy in travel experiences despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic
References:
00:00 Exploring the World with Diabetes: A Special Guest on Travel Stories00:03 Exploring the Connection Between Travel, Independence, and Diabetes with Tanner Saunders
03:05 Growing Up with Diabetes: A Journey of Independence and Community Support
07:53 Navigating Diabetes Advocacy and Independence from a Young Age
14:58 A Unique Love Story: Navigating a Relationship with Diabetes Together
18:39 Navigating Independence and Partnership with Diabetes: A Heartfelt Journey
26:41 Navigating Travel as a Diabetic: Personal Experiences and Tips
31:43 Navigating Air Travel with Diabetes: Personal Experiences and Precautions
35:38 Traveling with Diabetes: Tips and Tricks for Staying Prepared
42:20 Unlocking Travel Experiences: Tips and Inspiration
50:05 Exploring the Mundane to Find Marvelous Experiences: An Inspiring Conversation with Tanner Saunders
54:24 Empowering Pride Message with a Call to Action
