The Diagnosis
Gemma Haupert, 8, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in September of 2015 when she was five-years-old. Gemma was not feeling well and was taken to her pediatrician. Her doctor tested her for type 1 diabetes.
“We were sent home, and a few long hours later received a call from our doctor,” 
said Kathy Haupert, Gemma’s mom. “Her sugar levels were extremely high. We were told to go to the emergency room immediately.”
The Need
The Haupert’s quickly realized Gemma needed a continuous glucose monitor (CGM).
Gemma’s family had insurance, but it did not cover enough of the CGM to make the monitor affordable, or even doable. The CGM would allow Kathy to set an alarm to let her know if Gemma’s sugar levels dropped dramatically overnight.
“I don’t know what we would do without her CGM,” said Kathy. “ It saved her life many times.”
The New Normal
According to Kathy, even though Gemma is young, she is starting to recognize her lows and what it takes to manage her type 1 diabetes well.
Kathy wants people to know:
“It’s not as easy as it looks. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes. Diabetes burnout is a real thing. It does not let up. It is very tiring.”
More importantly, she says it’s not about what is type 1 diabetes, but instead it should be about who is Gemma Haupert.
“She’s a trooper; a real fighter. She is such an athlete at heart. She’s not going to let type 1 diabetes win.”
