"We're On CONSTANT Life Support!" Inside the STRUGGLES of Living with Type 1 Diabetes Feat. Troy Farkas & Elle Shaheen (Yes, THAT Shaheen!)
In 72 hours, my life changed forever.In August 2023, nurses rushed me to Portsmouth Regional Hospital, where they discovered my dangerously high blood sugar levels, the classic precursor for a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. I stayed for the weekend, and left the hospital as a completely different person.Since then, diabetes has made my life extremely complicated:Waking up sweaty in the middle of the night by dangerously low blood sugar levels. Carrying sugary snacks on me everywhere I go. Visiting the pharmacy every other day to pick up yet another (expensive) piece of diabetes supplies.Nearly dying on multiple occasions.That's the reality for a Type 1 diabetic, a reality that's intimately understood by actress Elle Shaheen (yes, that Shaheen). And this November, Diabetes Awareness Month, it's about time to shed a light on life with this disease.Diagnosed at eight years old, Elle - daughter of N.H. politician Stefany Shaheen and granddaughter of U.S. senator Jeanne Shaheen - has lived with this disease the majority of her life. Even after 18 years of managing this disease, diabetes still haunts her every day.Elle is the subject of the 2016 New York Times bestseller, "Elle & Coach," Stefany Shaheen's book about Elle's diagnosis, the effect of diabetes on their family, and the medical alert dog - Coach - that brought some much-needed relief to the Shaheen's chaotic lives.From the West End of Portsmouth, we discuss our near-death experiences with diabetes, her work as an advocate, meeting President Obama, growing up with a medical dog by her side at all times, and whether researchers will find a cure in our lifetimes.Plus, Elle's time in the Portsmouth theater scene, her Broadway dreams, and life in Hollywood during the entertainment industry's existential crisis.To support finding a cure for Type 1 Diabetes, you can donate here to Breakthrough T1D, the organization responsible for leading the fight against this disease.CHAPTERS:What is Type 1 diabetes? (00:00)Living with T1D as a child in Portsmouth (07:20)Meeting President Obama during her advocacy work (13:20)Misconceptions of T1D (21:16)The mental health struggles of T1D (26:28)How Elle's medical alert dog saved Elle's life (36:45)My recent near-death experience (50:25)Elle's Portsmouth theater background & Broadway dreams (57:20)How do you want to be remembered? (01:13:20)EVENTS:Seacoast Stories Dinner Club! It's happening in Portsmouth at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, December 5, just prior to the next live podcast. Take the personality quiz here to get matched up with five Seacoast strangers for dinner.Seacoast Stories LIVE! On Friday, December 5, the Seacoast's biggest podcast takes the 3S Artspace stage for an evening of community, connection, and conversation. Secure your tickets here.SPONSORS:Little Tree Education: Get 50% off your application fee with code SEACOASTSTORIES when applying your child for Spring/Fall 2026 at the Seacoast's top Montessori school!Seacoast 2 Summit: How much is your home worth for a short/mid-term rental property? Find out here for FREE! To get started on a path toward better financial investment, email our friend David Higgins [email protected]! He's a Portsmouth legend, and you won't regret it.Investment and insurance products are Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency, Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate, Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested.Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Clearing Services (WFCS), LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. WFCS uses the trade name Wells Fargo Advisors. 1 North Jefferson, St. Louis, MO 63103.
