I am always left completely humbled and in awe when I speak to the parents of children with type 1 diabetes, and this episode is no different. And it brings with it a superhero... by the name of Captain Lantus.
 
Captain Lantus is the brain child of 10-year-old Max Rapson, brought to life by his dad Gary, today’s guest. Gary and his wife Sarah were plunged into a living nightmare back in 2014 when Max slipped into a coma at just 18 months old. What followed was months of around the clock care to keep their baby happy and healthy after a terrifying type 1 diabetes diagnosis. 
 
When Max was 3, an insulin pump changed Gary and Sarah’s lives, but for Max it was a different story. He would run away from site changes to get away from the device he just didn’t want to be attached to. Aged 6, Max came home from school with an idea that his insulin pump was in fact his superpower, and their children’s book, The Adventures of Captain Lantus, was born. 
 
Since then Gary, Sarah and Max, with the help of some trusty sidekicks and a brilliant community, have been on a mission to get their books to newly diagnosed children all over world to help them to feel empowered by, rather than afraid of, the possibilities of diabetes technology.
 
This episode covers a lot, from the trauma of that terrifying diagnosis, two parents finding their way in the dark, to the advancement of technology and the mission to make sure no child is scared of it the way that Max understandably was. Now 10, Max is confident and thriving, and the family is working hard to spread the message of Captain Lantus around the world to help newly diagnosed families. 
 
Heartbreaking, uplifting and inspiring - this is a powerful episode and I can’t thank Gary enough for the service he’s done for other type 1 parents by sharing his story.
 
CONNECT WITH GARY AND CAPTAIN LANTUS:
Follow The Adventures of Captain Lantus on Instagram.
Find them on Facebook.
Visit the Captain Lantus website.
You can support Captain Lantus via their GoFundMe page here.

JOIN THE TYPE 1 ON 1 COMMUNITY We’ve got an Instagram account!
Come and say hi @studiotype1on1.

SPONSOR MESSAGE:
Thanks to my episode sponsors Insulet, the founders of Pod Therapy - only found with Omnipod. 
 
Pod Therapy uses a tubeless, wearable and waterproof Pod that continuously delivers insulin for up to three days.
 
Controlled wirelessly by its handheld companion, it allows you to personalise your insulin doses according to your own daily needs - no multiple daily injections and no tubes.
 
Head to https://www.omnipod.com/ to find out more.