Hi! We are the Wigdahls! This is our family’s diabetes story, one that has completely transformed our lives in ways we never expected. Type 1 diabetes has become part of our daily world, shaping everything from how we parent to how we plan our days. It’s been a journey filled with challenges, tears, strength, and hope.
We never imagined this would be our path—but here we are, walking it together with resilience and love. As we look ahead, we’re hopeful. Hopeful for change. Hopeful for progress. And most of all, hopeful for a cure—not just for our family, but for all the families facing the same fight.
This is our story. And we’re honored to share it.
My husband Vince was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 27. He had been experiencing increased thirst and frequent urination for about a month or two, but like many young adults, he brushed it off. One day, he mentioned these symptoms to his brother, who had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just a year earlier. His brother suggested he check his blood sugar with a finger prick—and that simple moment changed everything. The number was alarmingly high, and was rushed to the ER, where Vince was officially diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
The journey since that day hasn’t been easy. Vince initially managed his diabetes with multiple daily injections, but despite his best efforts, he ended up in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) one day after getting very ill. It was a terrifying experience. Eventually, he was approved for a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and the Omnipod insulin pump, and those tools have been life-changing. They’ve helped stabilize his blood sugar and improve his quality of life. He feels more in control, and we’ve been able to breathe a little easier as a family.
Then in 2023, our lives changed again—this time in the most heartbreaking way. Our little boy, Brecken, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just four days before his first birthday. Because he was so young, he didn’t show the classic signs. Around six months old, we started noticing subtle changes—he became more irritable, didn’t sleep well, and just didn’t seem like himself. Eventually, right before he was diagnosed we began to notice his excitement with water and that he was soaking through his night diaper, which led us to trust our instincts.
On October 1st, 2023, he woke up with a terrible stomach ache, moaning and his breathing had changed. We rushed him to the ER, where his blood sugar was 513. He was admitted to the hospital and spent three days there. It was one of the worst and most helpless moments of our lives.
Since that day, we’ve cried a lot, learned even more, and found strength we didn’t know we had. Brecken is now using a Dexcom CGM and an Omnipod insulin pump, just like his dad. It’s made an incredible difference in his care and has given us some peace of mind. We’ve had sleepless nights and small victories, and through it all, Brecken has been so brave.
We’re proud to be part of organizations like Breakthrough T1D, working to find a cure—not just for Vince and Brecken, but for all the families like ours. Our story is one of resilience, love, and hope for a future without type 1 diabetes.
