Braden: Paying it Forward with T1D Warrior Bags
Braden was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 10, the day after the New England Patriots won a Super Bowl. At first, his family thought he was simply tired, but his condition quickly proved much more serious. With a blood sugar of 694 and high ketones, Braden was taken to the emergency room and then admitted to the intensive care unit.
After three frightening, overwhelming and educational days at UMass Memorial, Braden was back on the basketball court just two days later. His mother, Kristen, remains deeply grateful to the diabetes care team, including the nurses, diabetes educators, social worker, child life specialist and Dr. Angelescu, for helping their family through those first difficult days. Although his family was nervous about bringing him home, the care team encouraged Braden to return to his scheduled playoff game and continue living as normal a life as possible.
Successfully Managing T1D
Two years later, Braden started using an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor and maintained an A1c around 7%. At first, he worried about feeling different and did not want other students to notice his pump tubing or hear his devices beep during class. With support from his diabetes care team, he gradually became more comfortable and confident managing his condition. Today, he sees his pump and CGM as part of who he is and wears them openly.
Braden plays baseball, football, basketball and golf, and he has learned that each sport affects his blood sugar differently. Over time, he has developed the knowledge and confidence to manage those changes in a variety of situations.
Giving Back
On his first diaversary (February 6), Braden decided to give back by creating and donating bags for children hospitalized with a new diabetes diagnosis. The bags included coloring books and crayons, Legos, toy cars, calculators, measuring cups and books, along with a handwritten note encouraging other children by reminding them that they could still do anything they wanted in life.
Braden remembered how bored he felt in the hospital with little to do besides watch television. About a month after returning home, he received the JDRF Bag of Hope, now offered through Breakthrough T1D, filled with information, supplies and Rufus, the Bear with Diabetes. Wishing he had received those kinds of comforting items while he was still hospitalized inspired him to create the bags for others.
What began as a one-time gesture has become a diaversary tradition. One child who received a T1D Warrior Bag started doing the same on his own diaversary, which then inspired a third boy to follow suit!
Braden’s story is a reminder that children with type 1 diabetes can continue to do the things they love, and that even a difficult diagnosis can become the beginning of something that helps others.
