Today we are hearing from Laurie Smith, a 2022 graduate from Risely’s T1D group coaching program. Laurie shares the harrowing details of her experience being hospitalized after brain surgery, from the hospitals' rigid insulin dosing protocols that ignored her personal needs, to her struggle for the proper care and advocacy in a system that wasn’t equipped to understand the nuances of T1D. This conversation highlights the critical importance of T1D education for healthcare professionals and the need for more advocacy within hospital settings. Her experience is a powerful reminder that when it comes to chronic conditions, there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach—and patients must be empowered to advocate for themselves. If you’re living with T1D or know someone who is, this episode is a must-listen.

Quick Takeaways:

• The importance of T1D education for ALL healthcare professionals 
• Advocating for yourself and your diabetes in a hospital setting 
• How to prepare for surgery and/or a hospital stay as a T1D 
• What rigid hospital protocols can look like for people with type 1 diabetes 
• Advice for somebody who feels overwhelmed by the prospect of managing their diabetes during a hospital stay

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Introduction & the years Laurie spent being improperly diagnosed 
• [03:15] Why she was in the hospital to begin with 
• [07:25] Blood sugar management pre and post-surgery 
• [17:02] The mind-blowing confession she received from her nurses 
• [18:20] Fighting for proper care: “This is not acceptable… I am my own life support system right now.”
• [23:35] Advice for somebody who finds themselves in a situation where they have to advocate for themselves with healthcare professionals
• [31:45] Changes that need to be made in hospitals approach to T1D care

Have you had a similar experience to Laurie? Share your story with us by sending us a DM on Instagram (@riselyhealth) 

What to do now: 

1. Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop.
2. Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve.