When Amanda first connected with the Breakthrough T1D community, she was looking for support after her family received a life-changing diagnosis. What she found was something much deeper: a network of people who understood the challenges, celebrated the victories, and helped her family navigate the reality of living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Today, Amanda is paying that support forward through her volunteer service and advocacy.
A mother of three boys, two of whom are T1D warriors, she describes the T1D community as an invaluable source of strength and support. When her family faced their first diagnosis in 2021, and again when a second child was diagnosed in 2023, the community surrounded them with understanding, compassion, and encouragement. It became a place where they felt truly seen and supported while navigating the emotional journey of living with T1D.
As a caregiver, Amanda knows firsthand that T1D is a 24/7 condition. Every day involves countless decisions about insulin, food, activity, technology, illness, and more. “Diabetes touches nearly every aspect of daily life and requires an incredible amount of mental energy,” she shared. Despite the challenges, she remains focused on helping her children build the confidence and skills they need to thrive while carrying as much of the day-to-day burden as possible.
One of the moments that best captures the reality of caring for someone with T1D happened during a family camping trip. Amanda recalls a frightening incident when her son experienced a severe low blood sugar episode. Thanks to her husband’s quick thinking, he was able to get the care he needed immediately. While moments like these can be scary, Amanda says they highlight the importance of preparedness, awareness, and community support.
That sense of community is exactly why Amanda continues to stay involved. Through the Walks, Community Summits, support groups, and local events, her family has found meaningful connections with others who understand life with T1D. Seeing her children meet other kids wearing insulin pumps and CGMs has been particularly impactful. “Knowing that you aren’t the only one beeping in the room” has helped her family feel connected and empowered.
Today, Amanda wears many hats, each reflecting her passion for serving others. In addition to homeschooling her three boys, she works part-time as a registered nurse in a pediatric diabetes clinic and as a certified insulin pump trainer. She also dedicates countless hours to volunteering with Breakthrough T1D as a board member, outreach ambassador, and co-facilitator of a local support group. Driven by gratitude for the support her own family received, Amanda is committed to helping other families navigate the challenges of T1D with confidence, community, and hope.
For Amanda, the motivation is simple: she wants to help create a better future for everyone affected by T1D. Whether she’s supporting newly diagnosed families, fundraising for research, or sharing her story, she’s driven by hope for more reliable technology, greater awareness, and ultimately a cure.
“We do hard things” is a phrase Amanda often shares with her children, and one she embodies every day. Her resilience, determination, and unwavering optimism shine through her caregiving, volunteer efforts, and leadership in the T1D community. Because of volunteers like Amanda, more families find connection, support, and the reassurance that they do not have to navigate their T1D journey alone.