<p>In 72 hours, my life changed forever.</p><p>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.</p><p>Since then, diabetes has made my life extremely complicated:</p><p>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.</p><p>Nearly dying on multiple occasions.</p><p>That&#39;s the reality for a Type 1 diabetic, a reality that&#39;s intimately understood by actress Elle Shaheen (yes, <em>that</em> Shaheen). And this November, Diabetes Awareness Month, it&#39;s about time to shed a light on life with this disease.</p><p>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.</p><p>Elle is the subject of the 2016 New York Times bestseller, &quot;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Elle-Coach-Diabetes-Daughters-Everything/dp/031625875X" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Elle &amp; Coach</a>,&quot; Stefany Shaheen&#39;s book about Elle&#39;s diagnosis, the effect of diabetes on their family, and the medical alert dog - Coach - that brought some much-needed relief to the Shaheen&#39;s chaotic lives.</p><p>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.</p><p>Plus, Elle&#39;s time in the Portsmouth theater scene, her Broadway dreams, and life in Hollywood during the entertainment industry&#39;s existential crisis.</p><p>To support finding a cure for Type 1 Diabetes, you can<a href="https://www2.breakthrought1d.org/site/Donation2?2376.donation=form1&df_id=2376&mfc_pref=T" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"> donate </a>here to <a href="https://www.breakthrought1d.org/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Breakthrough T1D</a>, the organization responsible for leading the fight against this disease.</p><p>CHAPTERS:</p><ul><li>What is Type 1 diabetes? (00:00)</li><li>Living with T1D as a child in Portsmouth (07:20)</li><li>Meeting President Obama during her advocacy work (13:20)</li><li>Misconceptions of T1D (21:16)</li><li>The mental health struggles of T1D (26:28)</li><li>How Elle&#39;s medical alert dog saved Elle&#39;s life (36:45)</li><li>My recent near-death experience (50:25)</li><li>Elle&#39;s Portsmouth theater background &amp; Broadway dreams (57:20)</li><li>How do you want to be remembered? (01:13:20)</li></ul><p><br></p><p>EVENTS:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DP7RlHlAYpK/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Seacoast Stories Dinner Club!</a> It&#39;s happening in Portsmouth at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, December 5, just prior to the next live podcast. <a href="https://seacoaststories.dnnr.io/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Take the personality quiz here </a>to get matched up with five Seacoast strangers for dinner.</li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DQO8gLDAHiM/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠Seacoast Stories LIVE!⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> On Friday, December 5, the Seacoast&#39;s biggest podcast takes the 3S Artspace stage for an evening of community, connection, and conversation. Secure your tickets <a href="https://www.3sarts.org/events/475349656597" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>SPONSORS:</p><ul><li><a href="https://little-tree-education.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠Little Tree Education⁠</a>⁠: Get 50% off your application fee with code SEACOASTSTORIES when <a href="https://little-tree-education.com/apply-nh-schools" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠applying your child⁠</a> for Spring/Fall 2026 at the Seacoast&#39;s top Montessori school!</li><li><a href="https://www.seacoast2summit.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠Seacoast 2 Summit⁠⁠</a>: How much is your home worth for a short/mid-term rental property? Find out <a href="https://bit.ly/48TzVwJ" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠here ⁠⁠</a>for FREE! </li><li>To get started on a path toward better financial investment, email our friend David Higgins <a href="mailto:david.higgins@wellsfargoadvisors.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠david.higgins@wellsfargoadvisors.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>! He&#39;s a Portsmouth legend, and you won&#39;t regret it.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>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.</strong></p><ul><p><em>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 &amp; Company. WFCS uses the trade name Wells Fargo Advisors. 1 North Jefferson, St. Louis, MO 63103.</em></p></ul><ul><p><br></p></ul>

Seacoast Stories

Troy Farkas

"We're On CONSTANT Life Support!" Inside the STRUGGLES of Living with Type 1 Diabetes Feat. Troy Farkas & Elle Shaheen (Yes, THAT Shaheen!)

NOV 17, 202575 MIN
Seacoast Stories

"We're On CONSTANT Life Support!" Inside the STRUGGLES of Living with Type 1 Diabetes Feat. Troy Farkas & Elle Shaheen (Yes, THAT Shaheen!)

NOV 17, 202575 MIN

Description

<p>In 72 hours, my life changed forever.</p><p>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.</p><p>Since then, diabetes has made my life extremely complicated:</p><p>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.</p><p>Nearly dying on multiple occasions.</p><p>That&#39;s the reality for a Type 1 diabetic, a reality that&#39;s intimately understood by actress Elle Shaheen (yes, <em>that</em> Shaheen). And this November, Diabetes Awareness Month, it&#39;s about time to shed a light on life with this disease.</p><p>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.</p><p>Elle is the subject of the 2016 New York Times bestseller, &quot;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Elle-Coach-Diabetes-Daughters-Everything/dp/031625875X" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Elle &amp; Coach</a>,&quot; Stefany Shaheen&#39;s book about Elle&#39;s diagnosis, the effect of diabetes on their family, and the medical alert dog - Coach - that brought some much-needed relief to the Shaheen&#39;s chaotic lives.</p><p>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.</p><p>Plus, Elle&#39;s time in the Portsmouth theater scene, her Broadway dreams, and life in Hollywood during the entertainment industry&#39;s existential crisis.</p><p>To support finding a cure for Type 1 Diabetes, you can<a href="https://www2.breakthrought1d.org/site/Donation2?2376.donation=form1&df_id=2376&mfc_pref=T" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"> donate </a>here to <a href="https://www.breakthrought1d.org/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Breakthrough T1D</a>, the organization responsible for leading the fight against this disease.</p><p>CHAPTERS:</p><ul><li>What is Type 1 diabetes? (00:00)</li><li>Living with T1D as a child in Portsmouth (07:20)</li><li>Meeting President Obama during her advocacy work (13:20)</li><li>Misconceptions of T1D (21:16)</li><li>The mental health struggles of T1D (26:28)</li><li>How Elle&#39;s medical alert dog saved Elle&#39;s life (36:45)</li><li>My recent near-death experience (50:25)</li><li>Elle&#39;s Portsmouth theater background &amp; Broadway dreams (57:20)</li><li>How do you want to be remembered? (01:13:20)</li></ul><p><br></p><p>EVENTS:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DP7RlHlAYpK/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Seacoast Stories Dinner Club!</a> It&#39;s happening in Portsmouth at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, December 5, just prior to the next live podcast. <a href="https://seacoaststories.dnnr.io/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Take the personality quiz here </a>to get matched up with five Seacoast strangers for dinner.</li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DQO8gLDAHiM/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠Seacoast Stories LIVE!⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> On Friday, December 5, the Seacoast&#39;s biggest podcast takes the 3S Artspace stage for an evening of community, connection, and conversation. Secure your tickets <a href="https://www.3sarts.org/events/475349656597" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>SPONSORS:</p><ul><li><a href="https://little-tree-education.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠Little Tree Education⁠</a>⁠: Get 50% off your application fee with code SEACOASTSTORIES when <a href="https://little-tree-education.com/apply-nh-schools" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠applying your child⁠</a> for Spring/Fall 2026 at the Seacoast&#39;s top Montessori school!</li><li><a href="https://www.seacoast2summit.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠Seacoast 2 Summit⁠⁠</a>: How much is your home worth for a short/mid-term rental property? Find out <a href="https://bit.ly/48TzVwJ" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠here ⁠⁠</a>for FREE! </li><li>To get started on a path toward better financial investment, email our friend David Higgins <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>! He&#39;s a Portsmouth legend, and you won&#39;t regret it.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>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.</strong></p><ul><p><em>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 &amp; Company. WFCS uses the trade name Wells Fargo Advisors. 1 North Jefferson, St. Louis, MO 63103.</em></p></ul><ul><p><br></p></ul>