Behind every member of the Gelbgroup Consulting team is a unique story that shapes who they are and what matters to them. For Leslie Martin, Gelbgroup’s Vice President of Development, one of those defining stories is her daughter Caroline’s journey with type 1 diabetes (T1D). As we close out National Diabetes Awareness Month, we are grateful for the opportunity to share their story—one of unexpected challenges, resilience, and the pursuit of normalcy in the face of an unrelenting 24/7 condition.
There was no clue, no family history; just a series of seemingly unrelated symptoms. “I was constantly thirsty and making frequent trips to the bathroom,” Caroline recalls of her freshman year in high school. “I had lost 20 pounds in a short amount of time, which was obviously something my mom noticed.”
Leslie recounts that pivotal day when her vibrant 14-year-old daughter was rushed to the Children’s Hospital. “Caroline’s blood sugar levels were around 900. The normal sugar range should be between 75 to 150.”
“I honestly did not think it would end up with a chronic condition,” Caroline reflects. “I thought it was something a lot smaller.” The impact of this condition would prove to be profound and would last a lifetime, affecting not just Caroline, but her entire family.
The Martins quickly found themselves on a journey of education, attending classes and learning the intricacies of managing T1D. “She had to think like a pancreas and count every carb,” Leslie explains. However, the early years were marked by a period of denial, particularly throughout high school.
“I was super in denial about it and I didn’t want to give myself the medicine,” Caroline shares. “I was pretending like it wasn’t real, which put me in bad positions.” She attributes much of her initial resistance to the pressures of being a teenager. “I think I was just under the pressure of being a high schooler and not liking being different,” she explains.
I realized that this is my life and I’d rather embrace it than deny it.
— Caroline Martin
The turning point came in college when Caroline’s perspective began to shift. “I realized that this is my life and I’d rather embrace it than deny it,” she says. This acceptance led her to become more open about her condition, particularly on social media, where she found herself in a position to help others.
Leslie proudly shares this transformation: “She’s comfortable being the face of it now. She doesn’t hide her pump or her monitor in pictures.” This openness has had an unexpected impact. “I’ve had people reach out to me saying that they’re pre-diabetic or they’ve just recently been diagnosed—people that I’ve known for years,” Caroline explains. “It felt good that I could help other people because I didn’t fully have that when I was diagnosed.” In addition to pride, there is also much relief for the Martins, because along with this openness comes attentiveness. “This is a condition that demands hyper vigilance. Bad decisions, or no decision, can have dire, extreme consequences—further and irreparable damage, coma or even death,” cautions Leslie.
Technology has played a crucial role in Caroline’s management of T1D. For the past two years, she has used both a continuous glucose monitor that provides 24-hour blood sugar readings on her phone and an insulin pump that acts as a “synthetic pancreas.” Without these devices, as Leslie notes, “the daily routine would be testing your blood sugar, pricking your finger from four to twelve times, plus administering insulin three to eight times a day.”
Today, Caroline studies fashion and has found creative ways to address the practical challenges of living with T1D. She has ideas for adaptive clothing for insulin pumps and accessories that can discretely accommodate diabetes management tools while maintaining style.
Support has been crucial throughout this journey. Caroline credits her high school friends who “took the time to research and learn not only what it is, but what to do if they find me unresponsive.” For Leslie, connecting with other parents who had children with type 1 diabetes was invaluable. “Practical tips, shared experiences, and mutual support helped our family navigate the challenges,” she shares.
The Martins have found additional support through the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, recently renamed as Breakthrough T1D, which provides events, an active chapter near them, and practical resources for families dealing with diabetes. And their go-to source for supplies is Pump Peelz. According to their website, they fulfill the space “Where Style Meets Diabetes Management. Established in 2011, Pump Peelz proudly stands as the first creator and developer of the printed patch and Peelz graphics for diabetes medical devices. From our inception, we recognized the need to revolutionize the diabetes management experience, not just in functionality but also in style and self-expression.”
To those newly diagnosed with T1D, Caroline emphasizes the importance of community: “You’re not alone, though sometimes it might feel that way. There are other people that you can connect with on community groups like on Facebook.”
Caroline now approaches her condition with confidence and openness. “I’m not ashamed of it anymore,” she states. “This is who I am and I need to just embrace that. It’s a part of me and it is my life.”
As Leslie reflects on their family’s journey: “I hope our story encourages dialogue, breaks stigmas, and offers support to those silently grappling with the challenges of an invisible, lifelong condition.”