Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Episode 58 - Touched By Type 1
225 Plays3 months ago
Elizabeth, the founder of Touched By Type 1, shares her personal journey with T1D and how she is spreading positivity & resources to the community. You can find all the things discussed in the episode on their website www.touchedbytype1.org or on their instagram @touchedbytype1.
Raquel is currently in a contracted agreement with Tandem Diabetes.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/typeonetogether/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@typeonetogether
Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/typeonetogether
Website: www.typeonetogether.com
T1D Diagnosis: Made Simple (The Course): https://typeonetogether.thinkific.com/courses/t1ddiagnosismadesimple
T1D Babysitter List: https://stan.store/typeonetogether/p/t1d-babysitter-resource
Team Together: https://www.typeonetogether.com/teamtogether
Super Parents Community: https://honeyhealth.app.link/28gQmJjyDsG
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/typeonetog
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction to Elizabeth and Touched by Type 1
00:00:23
amandacberg
Hi, everyone. I'm so excited to be here with Elizabeth today, who is the founder of Touched by Type 1, which is, in my opinion, just like an underrated, under-talked about organization that everyone needs to know about. I love it so much. So welcome to the show, Elizabeth.
00:00:38
Elizabeth Forrest
Thank you so much. Thanks for having me.
00:00:40
amandacberg
When were you diagnosed? Tell us a little bit about your story.
Elizabeth’s Diagnosis Story
00:00:43
Elizabeth Forrest
Sure, it is almost 25 years for me. So October 27, 1999, I was 10 years old, right before Halloween, like many.
00:00:52
amandacberg
wow oh my gosh it's always before a holiday or ah for me it was right before my birthday but you know no fun either way um what was it like being diagnosed at 10 i feel like that's a pretty there's no good age right but like 10 you're kind of approaching those years where you're more aware of yourself and your friends and trying to fit in and all that
00:01:00
Elizabeth Forrest
Absolutely.
00:01:14
Elizabeth Forrest
Yeah, I remember I was sick for a month in and out of school. I was never sick as a kid and and I loved school. So being away, having to stay home for the day, it was not something I enjoyed. And so over that month, we were in and out of the doctor's office. My mom was really persistent that something was wrong and we just weren't getting the right information or really any information other than just Stay the course, everything will be fine. And we know we know now that that is absolutely not the case. And I was very lucky that nothing worse happened, but it was really sick. and And one night just kept vomiting. I remember it vividly. And my mom said, this is this is it. we're We're going to the hospital. And we anyone that's in central Florida, we drove over to Arnold Palmer and spent the next three nights, three days there.
00:02:11
Elizabeth Forrest
and was officially diagnosed with type
Adjusting to Life with Diabetes
00:02:14
Elizabeth Forrest
1 diabetes. And while it was incredibly scary, especially being 10 and not really understanding what that meant, there was like an odd sense of, okay, we know what this is.
00:02:21
amandacberg
if Yeah.
00:02:27
Elizabeth Forrest
and And maybe it's easier to say that now and maybe not so much in that moment, but I do remember feeling like we knew something because it was just so strange that one day you're playing with your little sisters or playing with your friends at school and in the next all of a sudden everything is so different and you haven't done anything differently and but your life is very different now.
00:02:51
Elizabeth Forrest
So I just remember that feeling. I do remember being very scared of having to take shots.
00:02:59
amandacberg
Same.
00:03:00
Elizabeth Forrest
it was That was a big thing. My parents were scared of it so I think we ended up spending an extra day in the hospital because they weren't comfortable going home and somehow we stayed and and I don't think they were ever really comfortable but they had to and you get to that point. breaking my i mean Just thinking back to those those early days, early weeks, early months, it's it's really kind of wild to think that so many people have that happen or much worse. or you know Everyone has a slightly different diagnosis story but
00:03:36
Elizabeth Forrest
I think there's a lot of similarities amongst our, our diagnosis where, you know, that unknown, that fear, not almost like you're going home.
00:03:47
Elizabeth Forrest
I can relate with a like a newborn or
Community Support and Misconceptions
00:03:50
amandacberg
Yeah.
00:03:50
Elizabeth Forrest
small and you're kind of given these things or given this person and some information, but all the other questions start to spiral up.
00:04:01
Elizabeth Forrest
What if I do this or what if I do that? Or what if I don't do this or don't do that? You don't, it's like your mind can't think fast enough to ask all those questions in the moment, and you haven't had any experience yet to have those questions.
00:04:12
Elizabeth Forrest
You know, the what ifs, but yeah, it's it's ah it's a time that um I hope that no one else ever has to go through, but we of course know the reality that people will continue to get diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
00:04:13
amandacberg
Yes.
00:04:26
Elizabeth Forrest
It's a sad period, and then looking back on it, it's ah it's a tough one, but you obviously, obviously we all, find a way to get through that and and find something to attach to or or just figure out how to do it well enough to get through it.
Parental Challenges and Empathy
00:04:43
amandacberg
Yes, I completely agree with that.
00:04:43
Elizabeth Forrest
oh
00:04:45
amandacberg
it's You have no other choice, right? It's like when people tell you like, oh, I could never get myself a shot. Like, I personally don't like shots to this day. I hate giving myself shots. I hate getting like a flu shot or something like that.
00:04:55
amandacberg
But it's you just get used to it and you do what you have to do. You have no other choice.
00:04:59
Elizabeth Forrest
Absolutely.
00:04:59
amandacberg
um
00:04:59
Elizabeth Forrest
There is no choice. That's the, I mean, I'm sure that's all of our pet peeves. I'm sure there's a list of just like common pet peeves.
00:05:05
amandacberg
Oh, yeah.
00:05:06
Elizabeth Forrest
with saying one i mean and Yeah. the Oh, I could never. Well, you have to. There's, there's no literally no choice. If you're not doing it, someone else is doing it to you, but it's going to happen.
00:05:14
amandacberg
what
00:05:17
amandacberg
Yes, and I'm glad that you shared about you know your parents being scared too. that's something that so I should have said this in the beginning. Amanda's not here with us today. um She's dealing with some other things, but I know that she's voiced a lot about how hard it is to just see her own daughter going through that. And it's made me think a lot about how hard it was for my parents and just that whole perspective. And obviously we have a primarily parent audience and I also haven't had my own newborn yet. And so I can't relate to that part, but thinking about the pain, I mean, even when my, not to compare a childhood dog, totally different, but like even when I take my dog into the vet and something's wrong and he's clearly like not doing well, it breaks my heart. So I can't even imagine what it feels like.
Finding Positivity and Purpose
00:05:56
amandacberg
to be constantly poking a child.
00:05:56
Elizabeth Forrest
yeah
00:05:58
amandacberg
um I'm curious now that you're many years into it what that journey has looked like and what you feel like your relationship is with diabetes now.
00:06:08
Elizabeth Forrest
Those are a good questions. um I think that my situation is very unique that somehow, for some reason, I attach to something really positive so quickly.
00:06:23
amandacberg
Yeah.
00:06:24
Elizabeth Forrest
And I've had an incredible opportunity over the last almost 25 years to meet the most amazing people, to work really closely with passionate people, kids, adults, moms, dads, individuals,
00:06:39
Elizabeth Forrest
every sort of relationship to type one, and big organizations. I mean, just, I've had really great experiences. And that's not everyone's situation or the norm by far, but it's been a really amazing one. And I can't imagine having gone through the last 25 years with all of that. In a way, it's it's all sort of been part of my support system on the thing which is me looking forward and and being positive and it's it's that initial sort of connection with dance and how I led that to form what we now know of touch by type one, but originally dancing for diabetes.
00:07:23
amandacberg
Yeah, take us into that. Well, I guess actually have a question before that.
00:07:27
Elizabeth Forrest
Yeah.
00:07:28
amandacberg
Were you always into the idea of T1 community and trying to make something like that happen and come together? Because for me, it was quite the opposite where I never would have thought I'd end up having a type one related company years later.
00:07:41
amandacberg
Like I didn't think it was cool and, you know, whatever to be part of that community. And now I think it's everything I needed and more. So I'm curious about ah that for you.
Founding of Touched by Type 1
00:07:51
Elizabeth Forrest
Oh yeah, no, I definitely did not think sitting at Arnold Palmer that I was going to go conquer our the the diabetes world, but ah and not that I am, but ah i i um you know it was it was one one small thing that led to the next.
00:08:04
amandacberg
Oh yes, you are.
00:08:12
Elizabeth Forrest
And I will say I was very shy as a kid, like like incredibly shy.
00:08:16
amandacberg
Same, yeah.
00:08:19
Elizabeth Forrest
My, my parents would have to encourage me to like speak to people or, or I would then say to my middle sister, Jen, I would say, okay, you go do it.
00:08:29
Elizabeth Forrest
Like I was incredibly shy with most things.
00:08:29
amandacberg
in
00:08:33
Elizabeth Forrest
Um, I was, so when I was 10, turning 11, I was in fifth grade. So that next year is middle school.
00:08:38
amandacberg
Okay.
00:08:41
Elizabeth Forrest
And we all know that sort of age range is so tough, um, tougher now than then, of course, but, uh, it's tough and, and. You don't really know what's going on and you don't have that confidence. And even if you are outgoing, it's just an odd stage of life. But I remember when I finally went back to school after being sick, after being diagnosed, I had the most incredible teachers and peers. I mean, I think back in fifth grade, you were really in one class, maybe you went to like another class, but
00:09:16
Elizabeth Forrest
I just remember having one class, I think middle school is when you rotate, and um I remember my teacher came over to our house and brought basically like a care package of greeting cards that ever all the kids had made, and not just kids in my class, but the whole fifth grade.
00:09:34
Elizabeth Forrest
And they would get well cards, they were positive messages, and it was just basically saying like, we're here for you, we're going to help you, we're going to be your support, whatever that means.
00:09:43
amandacberg
Yeah.
00:09:43
Elizabeth Forrest
and And so that was really neat, and it almost, foreshadowed what was to come, right, in a sense. um But that was really positive. And the team at the school, it was all a very positive experience. And I know so many people don't have that. And it really breaks my heart when I hear about people not having supportive teachers or administrators or peers in the class or even parents that are understanding, you know, other parents that are understanding of your child's needs. So I can't complain. I had an absolutely amazing experience then.
00:10:14
Elizabeth Forrest
But that next year, going into middle school, was a performing it's a performing arts middle school in Sanford, Florida, and I enrolled in the dance program. And through the just typical curriculum in that program, the class put on a production where we had different routines we put together that we were taught, and it was a show, and it was a show for the parents. And my lifelong best friend, Kelly, was in that class with me, and she is one of our team members at Touch by Type 1 now. She's been along the journey ever since the very beginning before it was anything. and So we were in that class together and and I thought, why don't we put on another show? yeah That wasn't too hard. Let's put on another show and raise a few dollars from all the parents that come and donate it to a diabetes organization focused on a cure and let's spread awareness about diabetes, let's dance and make it a really fun event.
00:11:13
Elizabeth Forrest
and I remember sitting at my parents' computer back then. It was in their bedroom. I remember typing up an email over the summer to my principal.
00:11:24
Elizabeth Forrest
I don't know where these engines came from, but I remember saying typing it and sent off the the email and basically asking if we could host a show for for diabetes.
00:11:26
amandacberg
Thank
00:11:37
Elizabeth Forrest
And it was so quickly, so well received, And the principal invited me that one school started to come in and we would have a meeting. I remember going in whenever it was and it was him.
00:11:50
amandacberg
you.
00:11:51
Elizabeth Forrest
There were some other administrators, some other teachers in the performing arts department. And we talked about my idea and he said we could do it. And so we hosted a show um in the in the auditorium at the school and maybe a hundred people showed up, but that was a really big deal.
00:12:07
Elizabeth Forrest
and and of course they
00:12:08
amandacberg
Yeah.
00:12:09
Elizabeth Forrest
with dancers, but it was a show and it was it was called Dancing for Diabetes. But you know no matter how many times I tell this story, i always I always forget to say this until I get to this point. and i it is So before that year, before going to my principal and and pitching this idea and then hosting it, we actually, my parents and I, we we sort of put together a ah neighborhood party in my neighborhood at the time neighbors would put together little gatherings or social events in the neighborhood. And so we hosted one at our house outside on our drive point where it was barbecue and ice cream. It was there is just inviting the neighbors over. And we had my dance class come to my house. I remember we all like all everyone came in and we went to the backyard to warm up. And then we went back out to the driveway at the at the right time
00:13:07
Elizabeth Forrest
It was a long driveway at the time. And we performed a few dance routines on my driveway for the neighbors.
00:13:10
amandacberg
Mmhmm. Love it.
00:13:14
Elizabeth Forrest
And I don't know what that event was called. I don't know how we described it, but we had friends and neighbors there. And and so when that happened, I thought, OK, let's make this bigger.
00:13:26
Elizabeth Forrest
And that's why I reached out to to my principal and my dance teacher, who was already very supportive of it. and That's how the first show started was on my driveway.
00:13:36
amandacberg
final
00:13:37
Elizabeth Forrest
And so it's pretty cool. But so the name Dancing for Diabetes came in shortly after. And each year, the the program grew. More dancers in the dance community got wind of it and and heard about it, wanted to be involved.
00:13:53
Elizabeth Forrest
And for the most part, no one in the production itself had diabetes except me. Over the years, more came up just statistically more had diabetes
00:14:04
amandacberg
yeah
00:14:04
Elizabeth Forrest
but there not too many, and so go on to high school, and now I'm in the dance team at the high school, the Dazzlers, and they also want to become involved.
00:14:16
Elizabeth Forrest
They that they take it to a whole other level because they're a nationally-arranged high school dance team. They're so good. And um got more and more support, and we we moved over to the high school to host the show because we were selling out the middle school venue.
00:14:30
amandacberg
and
00:14:31
Elizabeth Forrest
When I went off to college, at the University of Florida in Gainesville. We continue to produce the show every year in November.
Pandemic Adaptations and Global Reach
00:14:39
Elizabeth Forrest
And we'd sell out the show every single year and people would keep saying, you know, we we need a bigger space.
00:14:46
Elizabeth Forrest
We need more shows. And I would always say in time, in time. and And so fast forward, I won't go through every year, but fast forward, 2017 we host our first show at the Bob Carr Theater in downtown Orlando.
00:14:53
amandacberg
Mm hmm.
00:15:01
amandacberg
Wow.
00:15:01
Elizabeth Forrest
I want to say it was like 1,000 people, which was great.
00:15:05
amandacberg
Yes.
00:15:06
Elizabeth Forrest
Fantastic. And an older theater, a lot of character, really beautiful venue. It was actually the the first theater that my sister and I danced at through our dance recital growing up.
00:15:19
amandacberg
Aww, full circle.
00:15:21
Elizabeth Forrest
And yeah and and so um at the at the time, really before 2017, very large performing arts facility was talked about in Orlando about how it was going to be built at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and I mean this is when I was in college I heard about it and I said to myself one day dancing for diabetes is going to be there and and so I just kept following the story following the progress they raised money over all those years and and finally got built
00:15:45
amandacberg
Yes.
00:15:53
Elizabeth Forrest
And I remember I was living downtown at the time. He's after college. I came back to Orlando and I've been living in Orlando ever since. And um they invited the community to come out and do a hard hat tour, see the venue before it officially opened.
00:16:07
Elizabeth Forrest
And my husband and boyfriend at the time, we went over there together. We stood on the stage, looked out into the seats that were empty, of course. And I looked at him and I said, we are going to have dancing for diabetes here.
00:16:20
Elizabeth Forrest
It's just
00:16:20
amandacberg
Aw.
00:16:22
Elizabeth Forrest
And so you know it didn't happen on my terms, but it happened. So in 2020, the world shut down.
00:16:28
amandacberg
Mm-hmm.
00:16:30
Elizabeth Forrest
and And everyone had to pivot, had to make changes, make decisions on on things they were doing from a business perspective, effective nonprofits, of course. And so the early part of that year, I just kept thinking,
00:16:45
Elizabeth Forrest
you know Because no one knew a timeline. No one knew it was going to happen. Optimistically, they were like, yeah, hopefully it'll just be a few weeks and we'll be back to normal. But life happened. And so I kept thinking, well, diabetes doesn't stop.
00:16:58
amandacberg
Yes.
00:16:58
Elizabeth Forrest
Diabetes isn't going to pause. And there's got to be a way to work through this. And so in working with the center, they basically said, you can host Dancing for Diabetes.
00:17:13
Elizabeth Forrest
Again, this year, you can't have an audience. We have to be very careful with the dancers and strategically bring them in and out for the production so that they're only, so each group is only in the venue at one time, wearing masks and all these different protocols we had to put in place.
00:17:31
Elizabeth Forrest
And and because they didn't have all facilities open at the time, they said, you have to do it at the Dr. Phillips Center this year in the Walt Disney Theater.
00:17:41
amandacberg
Hmm.
00:17:42
Elizabeth Forrest
And I said, oh, that's fantastic. ah but But it's like, OK, there's no audience.
00:17:47
amandacberg
Yeah.
00:17:47
Elizabeth Forrest
We can't be around anyone. it's It's such a strange way to do it.
00:17:50
amandacberg
Still counts.
00:17:52
Elizabeth Forrest
We're doing it. We're going to the Dr. Phillips Center. And it was ah like a 12-hour production day because we had to stage everyone, but we still had to set up lighting and production and do rehearsals and all kinds of things that lead up to the show.
00:18:07
Elizabeth Forrest
So was ah it was definitely an interesting day, but we filmed it. And to no audience. you No one there. We filmed it. And then later, about a month later, on World Diabetes Day, November 14th, we aired it live on live online our website.
00:18:27
Elizabeth Forrest
And we reached people in 22 different countries. It was free. Everyone could log in and, of course, encouraged to make donations. But um it was it was accessible to everyone that had internet.
00:18:39
Elizabeth Forrest
And so for the first time in my life, I sat in my living room
00:18:43
amandacberg
Wow.
00:18:43
Elizabeth Forrest
um and and watch the show. I never get to watch the show.
00:18:47
amandacberg
Yeah.
00:18:49
Elizabeth Forrest
And so that was neat. And and I had a newborn at the time. So we got to see the show you know from when the newborn watches.
00:18:56
amandacberg
Yeah.
00:18:56
Elizabeth Forrest
And so that was a neat experience and certainly a memory that we'll all hold on to for forever. But after that experience, I thought there's no way we're not going back to the Dr. Phillips Center after this, but this time for an audience.
00:19:08
amandacberg
Yeah.
00:19:09
Elizabeth Forrest
And so the next year, We did, and and we've been there ever since. We're in the Steinmetz Hall, which is a beautiful venue, and it's acoustically perfect, and it was designed for orchestras and ballets, so it's just a dancer's dream to be in there. And so each year, we we sell out that venue of 1,500 people in the audience, 500 dancers backstage volunteering their time and really connected to our mission.
00:19:34
Elizabeth Forrest
And it's just an amazing evening of just entertainment and hope. It's such a positive program.
Dancing with Diabetes: Challenges and Resilience
00:19:42
Elizabeth Forrest
It's unique. There's nothing else like it. It is something I am so incredibly proud of.
00:19:44
amandacberg
Yes.
00:19:47
Elizabeth Forrest
the The awareness we're able to spread, the dollars we're able to raise to fund our program, but also to donate dollars to the Diabetes Research Institute that's focused on ear type 1 diabetes.
00:19:57
amandacberg
Yes.
00:20:00
Elizabeth Forrest
So it's just it's just amazing. and And so that's just one program.
00:20:06
amandacberg
Yes. Yeah. So wait, I'm going to stop you right there for a second. we have There's so much that y'all are doing now that I want to get into, but let's take it back to dance for one second. So we have so many families in our community whose kids want to be athletes.
00:20:18
amandacberg
They want to do things like that. um I've shared a little bit about this on the show, but I also
00:20:20
Elizabeth Forrest
Oh, where did I start?
00:20:23
amandacberg
was a dancer growing up, which is how we originally connected years ago. Maybe you didn't know that, but your team, I've talked to them about it because, so I was a dancer, went to performing arts high school in Dallas, Booker T.
00:20:33
amandacberg
Washington, and then I was a dance major at University of Texas. um So I thought I was going to be a dancer my whole life, but ended up pivoting to create Type 1 together.
00:20:39
Elizabeth Forrest
Come on.
00:20:42
amandacberg
And everyone my whole life was like, you should create a dance and diabetes thing, like duh. And I was always like, it's just two totally different worlds. Like I just can't see it being successful, but here you are and you've done it.
00:20:52
amandacberg
And it's so incredible. Um, so huge kudos to you, but just in terms of the hard and challenges that come with dancing with diabetes, but also just activity, um,
00:20:57
Elizabeth Forrest
Thank
00:21:07
Elizabeth Forrest
and
00:21:09
amandacberg
I'll tell a really fast story that I've never shared on here, but at my performing arts high school as a senior, we had our senior choreography projects and I was super into into choreography. I did make a piece, set it on, I think it was eight dancers. um I wasn't originally in it, but one of the dancers did not get good grades and had to be kicked out. That was a thing.
00:21:27
amandacberg
And so I had to step in for her and on the night of the show, um I had a really bad low, which never really happened. Like I performed hundreds of times and, you know, you always end up trying to be a little higher before you go on stage or whatever you need to do.
00:21:41
amandacberg
But it was one of those lows where you just can't get back up. You know, like you have those lows at maybe a couple of times a year.
00:21:46
Elizabeth Forrest
Good.
00:21:46
amandacberg
And I was in the 40s and I kept eating and eating and they ended up having to change the show order in the middle of the show. so that they could wait for my blood sugar to get back up.
00:21:54
Elizabeth Forrest
Good.
00:21:54
amandacberg
But the ironic part about it is I had actually made the whole piece to be about diabetes. It was called Disruption, and it was about the ups and downs of type 1, which at the time I was not at all involved in the community.
00:22:06
amandacberg
Like, absolutely nothing. And it was like the one thing that I had done, and then of course the night of the show, I got low, and it was like, I went on stage and it was such a powerful moment because it was like, okay, well, I'm definitely like embodying this message.
00:22:17
amandacberg
um But, It was hard. And I will say like, I do not, I never have let diabetes stop me from becoming a professional dancer, but I'd also be lying if I said that that wasn't a factor in my mind of not wanting to pursue it, not because I can't, but because it was a lot like being a dancer is already a lot and especially professionally. And then you add just everything that type one brings. It's really hard to keep your blood sugars as steady as I can right now. I'm sorry, there go the dogs.
00:22:46
amandacberg
um
00:22:46
Elizabeth Forrest
had writtenten
00:22:48
amandacberg
with dancing that much because I was in the studio eight to 10 hours a day, whatever. I'm gonna pass it to you because the dogs are barking, but I'm so curious if you had experiences like that growing up and what you would say to anyone out there whose kids want to do similar things.
00:22:58
Elizabeth Forrest
Yeah. yeah I would say that, you know, definitely didn't have the technology we have now when I was dancing. Dexcom was not even, or any CGM was not even a thing. So I was pricking my finger.
00:23:15
Elizabeth Forrest
um I was on an insulin pump about a year after diagnosis. So one when I was dancing, I was always on an insulin pump. As a teenager, that definitely was kind of inconvenient a lot of times, especially in costumes and performing. um Our dance team not only did full on dance competitions throughout the year and performances, but we were also an integral part of the high school band. So like we would be performing at football games.
00:23:43
Elizabeth Forrest
in the stands, so like the the full multi-hour experience of before the game, halftime performance, after the like the whole time cheering, and you're just like, you're not sitting.
00:23:55
Elizabeth Forrest
There's no resting.
00:23:55
amandacberg
Yep.
00:23:57
Elizabeth Forrest
And our team was run very and in a very militant way. There's a lot of order and structure and discipline. And my coaches were amazing. um they they were very flexible with me, but I didn't like asking for special treatment or any sort of exceptions to the rule.
00:24:17
Elizabeth Forrest
So I tried really hard to keep my blood sugars in an area that I didn't need to correct in either direction because I didn't want that to be another opportunity of
00:24:30
amandacberg
Yeah.
00:24:31
Elizabeth Forrest
Oh, it's it's diabetes related. I just wanted it to almost be masked in a sense of let me just handle it so that there aren't any issues, so I don't stand out and don't cause a problem or anything like that.
00:24:41
amandacberg
Yep, totally.
00:24:45
Elizabeth Forrest
There were a lot of on that team too, a lot of parents volunteer for for different sort of responsibilities on the team. And so for my four years, my mom volunteered as the the medical bag mom.
00:24:57
amandacberg
and
00:24:57
Elizabeth Forrest
So she would go to all the competitions, all the performances,
00:25:00
Elizabeth Forrest
you know, like a first aid kit and things that people generally need, but there would also be snacks in there for any lows. She'd have extra supplies in case we need to change sites or anything like that.
00:25:11
Elizabeth Forrest
So that was convenient. And that way it wasn't a big thing. If something happened, I could just you know give her a signal and she'd hand me something and we'd move on.
00:25:18
amandacberg
Love it.
00:25:19
Elizabeth Forrest
So I was very much of, I didn't want to cause a problem. I didn't want to be a burden to anyone or anything or or have my peers think that I was taking advantage of anything either.
00:25:24
amandacberg
And then... Yeah.
00:25:30
Elizabeth Forrest
So I think I was really in tune with that for some reason. um It doesn't mean it's the right way or way to do it, but it worked for me. I also would always try to run higher and I don't think I thought about it.
00:25:44
Elizabeth Forrest
I think it just happened that way, but you know, just give yourself a little less insulin for something and then you won't have to have a snack and have a low and have to sit out. You could, cause you could dance through that high up to a certain extent, like not a few high, but I'm talking like a manageable high.
00:25:56
amandacberg
Right. Yes.
00:26:00
Elizabeth Forrest
um and And again, it was also because we were on our feet for hours and hours and and dancing and cheering and being excited. So there was a lot going on. I know that there are probably like two memories I can think of that were ah diabetes related that I had to either step out or handle something in a certain way, but nothing, nothing quite like that story. I mean, that story is really great and just kind of the symbolism of it all too being that day we're going to highlight this and the the one time you you would take a chance and and want to talk about your diabetes.
00:26:29
amandacberg
but Yeah.
00:26:35
Elizabeth Forrest
I mean life happens interestingly so that's good but you know one thing I forgot to mention earlier too which you just touched on is when I was diagnosed I really didn't know anyone with type 1.
00:26:43
amandacberg
Hmm.
Building a Diabetes Community
00:26:48
Elizabeth Forrest
So going down that journey of of creating something I guess in a way I was sort of creating the community I wanted there to be, but I didn't realize I was doing that.
00:26:59
amandacberg
Yeah.
00:27:01
Elizabeth Forrest
Like now looking back, I definitely created this community for for everyone that's part of it, but also for myself.
00:27:02
amandacberg
Yeah.
00:27:08
amandacberg
Yeah, I totally relate to that so so much and I also love what you said about not wanting to be a burden and you know, I kind of took that approach too and I think it's just important for parents who are listening to understand that that is a reality as much as a teacher or a coach whoever can tell or you as a parent can tell your child like you're never a burden all of those things like it does sometimes feel that way when you are not even just a burden but interrupting your own chances of succeeding in whatever sport or activity you're doing or even like once I did have a Dexcom in college and we had choreographers doing audition, you know choreographers that would come from out of town they would be doing auditions with us and it's like they're gonna see this thing and that's fine like I'm gonna wear it proudly but like it is in the back of my head is that going to impact like why would they choose me who's I'm gonna have to sit out at some point potentially during rehearsal um over someone else like it just it added
00:27:36
Elizabeth Forrest
Absolutely. Right.
00:28:02
Elizabeth Forrest
yeah There's a risk. There's a little bit of a risk with you. That's, and that's how I would see it is, you know, uh, especially the more, you know, the farther you go through school, the more teachers you have, the more people you're coming in contact with.
00:28:04
amandacberg
running
00:28:14
Elizabeth Forrest
And I just didn't ever want to be looked at as, Oh, that's the student with diabetes.
00:28:18
amandacberg
Exactly.
00:28:20
Elizabeth Forrest
There's going to be more work.
00:28:20
amandacberg
Yeah.
00:28:21
Elizabeth Forrest
We're going to have to do more things for her. We have to accommodate more things. I just didn't want, I just wanted to be me. and you know give me a little freedom if I need it. I promise I'm not gonna take advantage of it.
00:28:32
Elizabeth Forrest
It's going to be extreme if I need it, if I need something.
00:28:34
amandacberg
Yes.
00:28:36
Elizabeth Forrest
But yeah, I mean, i we all have different stories throughout school and activities and things where diabetes certainly gets in the way or or maybe the other person didn't know enough about diabetes and and said things that were offensive and you know you go through all that.
00:28:48
amandacberg
Great.
00:28:53
Elizabeth Forrest
But so many different people go through all that all every day regardless of diabetes too. So I think it's a life skill. yeah and there's a lot There's a lot now that I can reflect back on that absolutely taught me things and maybe it's not the worst to be a little, everyone's different. there's There's no one that is normal, there's no one that is the way anyone is supposed to be and so learning that early that everyone is different it certainly leads to open-mindedness and being compassionate and thinking about others.
00:29:28
Elizabeth Forrest
and I mean, if you think about it, at least for me, very analytical. And i'm I'm thinking about all the different scenarios that could come about. And I know so many other people with type 1 diabetes that do the same, that kind of go down that path of, OK, if I do this and this and this, then these things could happen.
00:29:44
Elizabeth Forrest
And and sometimes that's a lot. But sometimes that's how people manage their diabetes best, is to have that control over it.
00:29:49
amandacberg
Yeah.
00:29:51
Elizabeth Forrest
and Yeah.
00:29:53
amandacberg
I agree. It can definitely be a beautiful thing in so many ways and like gives us such a great perspective on life. So I am thankful for that. um As weird as this sounds.
00:30:01
Elizabeth Forrest
OK,
Programs and Support for Families
00:30:03
amandacberg
Okay. So now you all are still doing the show, but you also offer some incredible resources for newly diagnosed families, adults, tell us all the things.
00:30:11
Elizabeth Forrest
oh okay there's so much.
00:30:13
amandacberg
Yeah.
00:30:14
Elizabeth Forrest
So so back in 2013 is when we officially became a 501c3 nonprofit. um And shortly before that, we started introducing other programs that we felt there was a need for in our community. So to this day and into the future, if there's ever something that someone recognizes, oh, I wish there was this, we respond really well to that. And and we we like to fill all those voids. So I remember early on that principal I went to that approved me and welcomed me to to host the show at the school.
00:30:50
Elizabeth Forrest
he He later, he he rose in his career. He was later was the superintendent of the school system as well. and And I asked him to be a part of our board later on years down the road. And he did. And and and he came up with the idea. He said, wouldn't it be neat if you could host a dance class for kids with type 1 diabetes and they could be featured in the show? That's a brilliant idea. And so to this day, we're actually getting ready right now. Registration is open.
00:31:19
Elizabeth Forrest
For our fall dance program, we have a kids class and a teens class, so there's an age differential. And we host them in Altamont Springs at our dance studio that we have there. And it's every Saturday in September, or October, and beginning of November. It's free. No dance experience required. And the idea is just to bring these kids and these teens together. All be together in one room. Parents aren't in there. They can be out in the the other room if they want. But it's just the kids.
00:31:47
Elizabeth Forrest
and the instructor and volunteers. And they learn some choreography that they later perform. But more importantly, they're making those connections and building that community of other kids, other teens that are just like them when it comes to diabetes. You know, people walk in and and they have they're having juice boxes or things are beeping and and no one is phased by it. You don't have to explain it. You don't have to show anything. You don't have to prove that you mean it. There's none of that.
00:32:17
Elizabeth Forrest
You just come in, everyone's on the same page, everyone understands, everyone is reasonable. And it's such a unique environment to be in. And I love that we offer this and I've offered it for, I think this is our 11th year that we've offered this program and it grows every year.
00:32:32
amandacberg
Wow.
00:32:34
Elizabeth Forrest
And in 2020, we learned we could do it virtually. So we have many ah kids and teens join us each year virtually in the class and we have a TV set up live. So they're doing it. And they still are part of that conversation when we sit everyone down in a circle and just talk and just get to know each other.
00:32:51
Elizabeth Forrest
So we have a lot of that during the class. And then even, in fact, some dancers actually come into Orlando from out of town for the night of the show to perform with the class since since they were part of the program.
00:33:02
amandacberg
Yeah.
00:33:04
Elizabeth Forrest
So I'm just going to watch the show.
00:33:05
amandacberg
Aww.
00:33:06
Elizabeth Forrest
But there is that opportunity too. So even if you're not in Central Florida, you could still be part of the program, which is great. so I won't go through every program we have unless you want me to keep talking, but the the other one, ah you know each one leads into another and our debox is another fantastic program.
00:33:16
amandacberg
Mmhmm.
00:33:24
Elizabeth Forrest
That is a free resource that goes out to anyone that's been diagnosed in the last 12 months. All you have to do is go to our website and request a box and it shows up at your house within a week or two, just based on the post office.
00:33:37
Elizabeth Forrest
And it's absolutely free. We cover all the costs, the postage, everything, and it's a box that you receive and the first thing you see when you open it up is this beautiful card that says you are not alone because you are not, there is a diabetes community here for you. And then inside all kinds of resources, information, samples, swag, everything type one diabetes related could be access to insulin, insurance, information on different pumps, different CGM's, up camp. there's There's information there on
00:34:11
Elizabeth Forrest
nutrition on mental health. I mean, there's there's so much in the box and we have a version, a youth box.
00:34:15
amandacberg
Yeah.
00:34:17
Elizabeth Forrest
We have an adult box and a box is completely in Spanish as well. So it's a program we're very proud of and it's available to anyone that's been diagnosed in the last 12 months. And because of such demand outside of those parameters, we also have an electronic D-box that is available for anyone that wants to request it, regardless of when you were diagnosed.
00:34:38
Elizabeth Forrest
So that way you can still get that information You don't get all the things, the physical items, but you get the information that's in there too. And that's also in Spanish with more languages to follow as well.
00:34:49
amandacberg
Yes. And y'all have been kind enough to include Type In together in that box. We're so thankful. um I believe there's an unboxing video on our page. If you scroll back a bit, if anyone's curious to see what that looks like, but there's some really, really awesome stuff in there. And it's just so cool that you're able to provide that for free. It really is incredible.
00:35:08
amandacberg
um Wow. Yeah, you're doing so much. It's really, important yeah, talk about that.
00:35:12
Elizabeth Forrest
And then there's the conference, which is a full, so the conference, that's that's ah that's in a month,
Annual Conference and Education
00:35:19
Elizabeth Forrest
yeah. it's in less
00:35:19
amandacberg
What is the date, just in case anyone's listening and wants to join?
00:35:23
Elizabeth Forrest
The date is Saturday, September 14th in Orlando. It also is free, like everything we do. And it's a wonderful day of education, of empowerment. My goal is that every single person, whether they have type one or not, that are there that day, leave like they can conquer this or they can help those they love conquer this. And it's very positive. It's very uplifting. it's It's real information. You know, we have experts from all over the country flying in to discuss all these different topics. There is a kids track and a teens track, adults, more as a caregiver track. There's adults with type one track. There is a track completely in Spanish as well.
00:36:06
Elizabeth Forrest
and And so all these tracks are are sessions, are our actual content about type 1 diabetes for those different audiences. And they're led by endocrinologists, CDEs, nurses, diabetes experts in the field from different perspectives, um from really all perspectives. It's wonderful.
00:36:29
Elizabeth Forrest
um and And I love it because even the kids are getting real valuable content back day of managing their diabetes, managing their emotions, their feelings, all of that that's so important.
00:36:42
Elizabeth Forrest
And I just, I feel like that doesn't exist too many other places, especially for youth and especially for the Spanish population as well.
00:36:46
amandacberg
Yeah.
00:36:49
amandacberg
And in person, which is so needed.
00:36:50
Elizabeth Forrest
And in person. Yeah.
00:36:52
amandacberg
Yeah.
00:36:52
Elizabeth Forrest
And again, bringing that community.
00:36:53
amandacberg
Is that for adults and kids or are there things for both or is it mostly for families with kids?
00:36:56
Elizabeth Forrest
Yes. it's for It's for everyone, yeah, individuals, caregivers, we have grandparents come, we have teachers come because they have students in their class, they want to know more.
00:37:00
amandacberg
Love it.
00:37:09
Elizabeth Forrest
So it's really any connection to to type one, yeah. Anyone touched by type one, if you will.
00:37:15
amandacberg
Love it. Yes, it's such a great name. um Is there anything else before we sign off that you want to share about Touched by Type 1, but also just any advice you'd give to any parents, especially of newly diagnosed kids who are listening?
Advice for Parents: Letting Kids be Kids
00:37:30
Elizabeth Forrest
Oh, that's a great point. So I forgot that we have a track that's um completely dedicated to conference this year for newly diagnosed. So it's like topics of those newly diagnosed geared towards the parents, the adults. But really, you know, I have two young boys, I have a a one year old and an almost four year old. Neither of them have type one diabetes. I went through two pregnancies with type one had very tight control.
00:37:58
Elizabeth Forrest
very, very good A1C, a lot of intentional effort went into that. um It was certainly not easy. um and And so I hope that I won't have to go down the type 1 diabetes route with them, but time will tell, we'll see. um but So I don't have that perspective of being a parent of a type 1, but being the person with type 1, I would say to as much as you can and as hard as it is,
00:38:28
Elizabeth Forrest
Let your kids be kids as much as possible. if you're If their blood sugars are reasonable, the majority of the time, that's a win. They don't have to be perfect. Numbers are numbers. They don't define the kids, the teens. I think that it's a ah burden that isn't placed there intentionally, but I think that being a kid, having been a kid, having been a teen,
00:38:57
Elizabeth Forrest
You feel guilty going to those endo appointments and and driving back to school or home, wherever you're going and feeling like that was a grade.
00:39:06
amandacberg
Yes, yeah.
00:39:06
Elizabeth Forrest
It's not a grade and it's not a grade of the parents. And if if you can remove that and not feel it like it's a grade, it positively impacts your kids because you might not say something to to the child but they can feel it, they can sense it.
00:39:26
Elizabeth Forrest
And so if you're stressed about it, they're going to be stressed about it, whether you talk about it or not.
00:39:26
amandacberg
Yes.
00:39:32
Elizabeth Forrest
And so just know, this is what I always tell everyone. um The numbers tell us where we need to go. They don't tell us who I am or what I'm capable of.
00:39:43
Elizabeth Forrest
They tell me where I'm at right now. And because of wonderful technology, they tell me where I'm going to go in the next few minutes. And because of that, we can make decisions. And that's all it is. It's just information.
00:39:54
Elizabeth Forrest
So diabetes is scary and there can be terrifying moments, but if you give yourself grace, give your children grace, you see numbers as numbers and food as food and nothing more, and just have that environment where they can feel themselves and and you can feel yourself, it will be so positive and will make for such a better long-term experience and really lessen the complications and the mental toll that diabetes can have. And so when you can, let them be kids.
00:40:32
amandacberg
That was so good. Everything you said I completely agree with. And I very clearly remember the moment sitting in the end of office and being told my A1C and then them showing me the chart and showing that I was close to the red or the whatever they had.
00:40:45
amandacberg
And it almost makes me wonder, like, should they really be even sharing the A1C in front of the kids when they're that
Emotional Impact of Diabetes Management
00:40:52
amandacberg
young? I understand it's important for us to learn that we need to take care of ourselves.
00:40:56
amandacberg
So important. But like you said, even if your parents aren't the ones getting upset at you,
00:40:57
Elizabeth Forrest
Yeah.
00:41:02
amandacberg
You still feel it. You feel it in the way the North has it.
00:41:03
Elizabeth Forrest
Or you feel like you let them down because you have this number for the doctor. Like there's just all these feelings about it.
00:41:09
amandacberg
Yes.
00:41:09
Elizabeth Forrest
I mean, there's so much pressure when you're going every three months and there's this buildup. You either have to, you know, get let out of school earlier or you're missing school to go to it. It's usually not right around the corner.
00:41:19
Elizabeth Forrest
You have to drive a while.
00:41:21
amandacberg
Mm-hmm.
00:41:21
Elizabeth Forrest
talking about diabetes on the way. You probably had to like scramble and write your blood sugars down. That was the way I had to do it. Now you can print everything out. But back then, you had to like write your charts down.
00:41:30
amandacberg
Yeah.
00:41:31
Elizabeth Forrest
um And so you know I remember all that. And there's definitely things that, you know should I be in that position, I would definitely do things a little differently.
00:41:41
Elizabeth Forrest
um But that's that's the beauty of having experience and knowledge is you learn along the way and and you're open to to pivot or to shift or adjust, whatever you need to do. but You know, and and I would say school is challenging too, right?
00:41:54
Elizabeth Forrest
So school is challenging, period, number one.
00:41:56
amandacberg
Yes.
00:41:57
Elizabeth Forrest
But in today's world, it gets harder and harder, and it's hard for for the educators, and it's hard for the administrators, and then it's hard for the parents. It's just hard all the way around because there's so many things in place to keep students safe and healthy.
00:42:13
Elizabeth Forrest
And and some of them sometimes feel like they're just so challenging, and are they really necessary? but Unfortunately, it's the world we live in and there's things outside of our control. And and that's a life lesson in itself too, is you know whether they go on to college or vocational trade or just go start working, there's rules and there's order and there's procedure. And yes, you'll have diabetes, but you're not going to walk around and say, oh, I have diabetes. I need special exceptions. I mean, you could do that, but it might not be what you want to come after that.
00:42:46
amandacberg
Yes.
00:42:47
Elizabeth Forrest
um I don't know, I have a lot of different perspectives of it. I'm, you know, I wear a hat of of an employer, I wear a hat of nonprofit, I wear a hat of a mom. I mean, there's just, there's so many, I can see all the different perspectives. and and And so sometimes it's worth just taking a step back and reflecting on it all and leaning on that community that's there to find out what works and what doesn't. And be part of the solution, not just more fuel to the fire of negativity or or any sort of negative emotions, but how can we fix it? How can we move forward?
00:43:21
amandacberg
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
The Power of Positivity and Community
00:43:23
amandacberg
I totally relate to you in the way that I feel like we both just take the approach of like, let's take all the good we can from this experience and move forward because that's what's going to serve us, right?
00:43:33
amandacberg
Like it doesn't, it's important to feel the hard and to let yourself feel those feelings, but also let's move forward in the way that we can and try to make
00:43:36
Elizabeth Forrest
like um
00:43:42
amandacberg
positivity out of this. And that's just part of why I really appreciate everything that you're doing and everything that you're putting into the world and the community and bringing people together is so important. And obviously the dance aspect is just so special to me too. So yeah, just thank you. Keep doing what you're doing and where can people find touch by type one and sign up for all the things.
00:44:04
Elizabeth Forrest
absolutely go to touchbytype1.org and you can find us on on Instagram, Facebook, on X, on Pinterest. There's so many places you can find us, YouTube. So definitely get connected with us on on social media. We put a lot of content out there. We advertise all of our programs and our resources and what we're doing in the community, whether local or or beyond. But we also have some fun content that goes out, some tips, some tricks,
00:44:32
Elizabeth Forrest
There's a lot of lot of years of experience in our organization amongst all of our volunteers and and so we've got a lot to share and we like to keep it pretty positive.
00:44:35
amandacberg
Thank you. Yes, love it. I'm gonna link all of that stuff in the show notes so you can get a d-box, sign up for the conference, all the things.
00:44:46
amandacberg
um It's still a dream of mine to one day attend.
00:44:49
Elizabeth Forrest
Oh please do.
00:44:49
amandacberg
It would be so cool to be able to help teach, or I don't even know, but I i was teaching dance in l LA for the last couple years, but I just moved to San Diego and so I had to leave my studio and I'm deciding if I want to keep doing that, but I do miss it.
00:45:02
amandacberg
um But anyone who's not in Florida, you can join all these things virtually like you heard. So definitely take advantage of that. We'll be sharing all that to our stories when that stuff is happening as well.
00:45:13
amandacberg
um But yeah, thank you so much. We usually sign off our podcast with a little blood sugar roll call if you're comfortable sharing your current blood sugar.
00:45:20
Elizabeth Forrest
Sure. Yeah.
00:45:22
amandacberg
I am 96 right now. Okay.
00:45:26
Elizabeth Forrest
Nice. I am 166 going down by three points in the next few minutes, so.
00:45:32
amandacberg
Amazing. Well, thank you so much, Elizabeth. We hope to talk to you again soon, and I hope you have a great day.
00:45:37
Elizabeth Forrest
You too, thank you.