T1D Caregiver Resource Guide

Rav Samra Bio

Rav Samra was diagnosed with type one diabetes when she was two years old.

Rav grew up knowing no one with diabetes and this inspired her to meet others with type one and support them. In 2013, Rav received a scholarship from the Diabetes Hope Foundation. She received her BASc in Occupational Health and Safety and HR Management certificate from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Since 2013, Rav has mentored type ones through DHF’s mentorship program. She has spoken at many webinars and in-person events. She is part of the Scholarship Advisory Committee and continues to support the development and execution of DHF’s programs.

Rav is a passionate advocate within the diabetes community. She was interviewed by CBC reflecting on the cost of insulin in Canada and authored a paper with T1International published by Frontiers in Clinical Diabetes and Healthcare.

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Navigating T1D & Adolescence

The T1D Caregiver resource guide is a collection of resources, worksheets, and references collected during the development of DHF’s PEP Talks (Parents Empowering Parents) Caregiver Program.

The resources are organized into four sections, each containing information and tools designed to help you and your family navigate adolescence with T1D.

Flip through the Guide on this page or download the free Guide below.

Caregiver Resource Guide

(Hover/click to flip)

Message from the PEP Talks Team

“As a mom with two boys living with T1D, I always wished there were more resources for parents like me. At Diabetes Hope Foundation, we recognize that diabetes impacts parents and caregivers too. In 2021, at the height of COVID, we launched the ‘Let’s Talk About It’ webinar series for caregivers to come together and talk about shared challenges around T1D. With generous funding from Ontario Trillium Foundation in 2023, we expanded this program to include webinars and online resources specific to navigating adolescence with T1D. As with all of our programs, PEP Talks has organically grown from a need in the community, and we are proud to have consulted and collaborated with community members and health partners in the development of this program and the accompanying resources. “

Barbara Pasternak, DHF Founder

“As a mom of three I am reminded everyday that parenting requires constant adaptation as we help our children navigate each new developmental stage. With a teenager of my own, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to find the balance between giving our children the space to become young adults while still acting in a guiding role. Adding T1D into that process introduces challenges that are hard to explain to those outside the community. I have truly enjoyed being able to bridge my experiences as a parent of an adolescent with my experience as someone living with T1D to develop resources that respect both of these perspectives, providing thoughtful tools and tips that we hope will make your own journey into parenting an adult a little easier to navigate.”

Heather Miller, MSW, DHF Executive Director

“I’ve lived with diabetes since 2005 and my teen years were by far the most challenging. Diabetes made a difficult time of transition even harder. I wish my family had resources like this to help. I hope these pages give you context and comfort for the journey ahead, and that you feel equipped to give yourselves the grace to grow closer because of diabetes. It took into my mid-20s for my parents and I to share just how stressful T1D was for us at the time. Now diabetes is a positive part of our relationships. I still fall back on asking carb counts for dinner when I visit, and my parents are the first people I call if I have questions about my health. We talk openly about diabetes (my mum was even a guest speaker for PEP Talks!), and we didn’t get here easily. I hope the lessons we learned together will help you as you need them.”

Nathaniel Kinghan, PEP Talks Facilitator

What’s inside

Mindset Matters

Managing Expectations Learn how a developing a growth mindset can lead to more successful diabetes management.

Talking with your Teen: Navigating the Highs & Lows

Explore communication tools to best support your adolescent as they manage diabetes during the transition years.

Sharing Responsibility: How to Foster Interdependence

Discover the important distinction between independence and interdependence, learning how to shift T1D management responsibilities collaboratively and mindfully.

Building Your Village: Collaboration & Self-Care

Recognize that the weight of T1D will have a significant impact on you and your family, and examine ways to cope with this stress as a team.

Disclaimer

The information in Resources for T1D Caregivers is intended as guidance only and is not intended to be used for medical advice or planning. Please talk with your health care team about your child’s personal diabetes management plan before making any changes to their health care. Information in the Guide is not exhaustive – your care team and the linked referenced materials should be used to enhance your knowledge.