From Diagnosis to Daily Life with Type 1 Diabetes

When Meason Bakunas was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 6 years old, his parents, Greg and Emily, were thrust into a world they knew little about. Type 1 is a lifelong condition where the pancreas produces little or no insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels, and it requires constant vigilance to manage. The initial days were daunting. 

“Chasing around your 6-year-old with a shot multiple times a day? Awful,” recalls Emily, vividly remembering her sleepless nights checking on Meason, worried his blood sugar levels might drop too low, which could result in seizures, unconsciousness, or even death. The challenges were compounded by Meason’s young age. “It was hard to measure blood sugar levels. Sometimes, kids don’t finish everything on the plate, and that can complicate things,” explains Emily. 

Despite these obstacles, the Bakunas family embraced their new reality with resilience. Emily quickly connected with the Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), and instantly found a community. Now, a few years later, Emily sits on the Board of Directors and reaches out to those who were once in her previous position. 

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Emily, Meason, and Greg Bakunas (photo by Tomas Segura)

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Emily, Meason, and Greg Bakunas (photo by Tomas Segura)

“We’re very involved,” states Emily. “Meason is an ambassador, and my husband ends up being involved just as much as we are.”

Breakthrough T1D has been a lifeline for the Bakunas family who participates in fundraising events, parties, and even family dinners. 

“Day-to-day, they help our family in so many ways,” she notes. These subtle interactions create a sense of community and offer individuals of all ages a space to connect, relate, and draw comfort from one another’s shared journey.

From Facebook groups to text chains, members of the Breakthrough T1D family can ask questions, share stories, and even lend medical devices to each other at a moment’s notice. This support system has been vital in helping navigate the complexities of diabetes management.  

Meason, now much older, handles his condition with remarkable maturity and positivity. 

“The good thing about Meason is that he owns it and is not embarrassed about it,” says Emily proudly. “He enjoys being different.”

Managing Meason’s levels remains a constant effort, but he’s always in communication with his parents to keep it in check, and he wears a Dexcom device to monitor his levels throughout the day. 

“He has to think about what he’s going to eat and when he’s going to eat it,” explains Emily. Despite these restrictions, the Bakunas family has found a silver lining. “We are super tight,” she adds. “I don’t know that I would ever have had this relationship with my child. We were together so much for so long, and I thank God he still likes me.”

For families newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, Emily offers reassurance. “There are a whole bunch of people going through exactly what they’re going through, and that’s the most important thing to know. They’re not alone.”