30 Oct SLAMT1D and Essex Junction Recreation and Parks Team up to Support Kids with Type 1 Diabetes
Thanks to SLAMT1D’s funding, EJRP Licensed Childcare was able to provide dedicated type 1 diabetes (T1D) support throughout its Rec Kids Afterschool Programs and Summer Programs. This partnership helped children with T1D safely take part in camp, build friendships, try new activities, and enjoy everything summer and afterschool have to offer alongside their peers.
One of the people who made this possible was Maya. Maya lives with type 1 diabetes herself, so she brought more than medical knowledge to her role. She brought empathy, encouragement, and lived experience. She became a trusted support for campers and a reassuring presence for their families.
A Day in Maya’s Role
Each day began with a warm welcome from the kids Maya supported and the many other children she had built relationships with. From there, she monitored blood sugars and worked to make each child’s experience as similar as possible to their peers’. Whether the kids were swimming, doing quiet indoor activities, or running around the playground, Maya kept a close eye on their numbers so they could focus on having fun.
When a child needed help, Maya was there. She might grab juice or gummies, take a walk together, or simply sit with a child and help them work through the emotions that can come with managing T1D.
Keeping Families Connected
Maya also prioritized the comfort of families through strong communication, using the program’s site phones. Every family had different preferences for how much they wanted to hear about their child’s care, and Maya honored each one so parents had peace of mind knowing their child was safe and well cared for.
Catching Highs and Lows Early
To catch high and low blood sugars before they became more serious, Maya monitored Dexcom Follow and checked children’s phones and insulin pumps whenever something seemed off. Relying on Dexcom whenever possible kept disruptions to a minimum, and because Maya traveled wherever the kids went, help was always close by.
Bringing Care to the Child
A key part of Maya’s work was making sure children could fully participate. Rather than pulling a child away from an activity, she brought the care to them. That might have meant delivering a snack to a child who was low, or helping them take a short T1D Buddy break with a friend if that felt most comfortable.
“I want the children to participate just as much as everyone else, and I do everything I can to make that possible,” Maya shared.
The Difference It Makes
For Maya, the best part of the job was the impact she had on children’s lives. Whether she was keeping a camper safe and healthy, giving them someone who understood what they were going through, easing a parent’s worries, or sitting with a child to make sure they finished their meal, she knew her work mattered to both kids and families.
“As someone living with type 1 diabetes, I know firsthand the difference it makes to have someone who truly understands, and I am honored to be that person for the children with type 1 diabetes at EJRP,” Maya said.
Maya’s work allowed kids with T1D at EJRP to simply be kids. We’re so grateful to her, Cassandra Falone and the entire EJRP team for welcoming these kids so fully.