Jenna
Date Posted: Monday, September 15, 2025
Jenna was six and a half when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in 2018. Now she is 13 and doesn’t remember much about life before diabetes, but her parents certainly do. “She was old enough to understand what was happening, but she wasn’t set in her routine like a teenager would be,” recalls her mom, Crystal.
At her clinic visit in September 2025, Jenna’s A1c level was 6.1%, an impressive result for a teenager. She and her family celebrated with dinner out. Over the past six years, Jenna has maintained an average A1c of 6.5%, thanks to her diligence and the technology that allows them to track glucose and adjust insulin as needed.
The family also celebrates Jenna’s diaversary with gifts. These celebrations highlight the strength and commitment necessary to manage T1D day after day, transforming challenges into milestones.
Jenna and Crystal credit much of their success to the UMass Memorial diabetes care team, including Dr. Penny Feldman and the nurses who support them between visits. Quarterly appointments include detailed reviews of Jenna’s insulin pump and CGM data, fine-tuning her care plan as she grows and her needs change.
Between visits, MyChart makes it easy to ask questions or troubleshoot unexpected highs, lows, or site issues. “Anytime I send a message, we get a quick response,” Crystal says. This collaboration helps Jenna understand her numbers, learn from each experience, and gain confidence in her own management.
During four summers at the Clara Barton Camp for girls with diabetes in Oxford, MA, Jenna met other kids who understand what she has to deal with each day. Friendships started at camp have continued with group chats that keep them connected throughout the year.
Managing diabetes at school brings its own challenges, but the family has built a strong support system. When Jenna was in Elementary School, Crystal visited the classroom to explain why her devices might beep or why she might need a juice box during class. She read “Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You,” written by Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor, who has been living with T1D since she was seven years old. The book describes children with various challenges and how they make each of us unique.
A 504 plan ensures Jenna can keep her phone handy for her pump and CGM, despite a general cellphone ban, with clear expectations regarding its use for health-related purposes only. Substitute nurses, policy changes, and grade transitions have tested their flexibility, but open communication has kept Jenna safe and empowered.
Outside of school, Jenna enjoys dancing in recitals, acting in school plays, enjoying amusement parks, swimming, and hiking. A well-stocked “go bag” with extra supplies keeps her prepared for anything.
Every year, Jenna’s family buys a Mod Squad shirt featuring the diabetes ribbon and the names of children with T1D. It’s a small but meaningful way to show solidarity and remind Jenna that she belongs to a community of brave, capable peers.
Jenna’s story demonstrates how preparation and a strong support team can transform the challenges of T1D into opportunities for growth. With a trusted care team, friends who understand, and a family who celebrates every victory, she’s proving that diabetes doesn’t define her future.
