How My Parents Faced My Diabetes Diagnosis as Doctors

What happens when your child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes—and you're both doctors, but still completely unprepared? In this raw and emotional episode, Drew sits down with the two people who were there from day one—his mum and dad, Jill and Brian Harrisberg. Both medical doctors, they open up like never before about what it was really like watching their son go from fit and thriving to chronically ill almost overnight. This is the side of diabetes you rarely hear—the parental perspective. Here’s what we cover: -The subtle early signs that something was seriously wrong -The gut-wrenching moment they heard the words “type 1 diabetes” -Why even as doctors, they felt helpless, hopeless… and ashamed -How Drew’s diagnosis reshaped their entire family’s health journey -Why type 1 diabetes is so misunderstood—even by medical professionals -The dark years after diagnosis, and what finally helped Drew turn the corner -The letters Jill and Brian wrote to diabetes—and why you need to hear them -How they’ve come full circle: from devastation to empowerment -The advice every parent of a newly diagnosed type 1 kid needs to hear Chapters: ⏳ [00:00] Train Wreck: The Day It All Fell Apart ⏳ [01:00] Meet Jill and Brian: Doctors, Parents… and Now Guests ⏳ [04:22] Childhood Dreams, Medical School, and Family Expectations ⏳ [07:17] Exercise Physiology vs. Medicine: Drew’s Career Crossroads ⏳ [13:08] Imposter Syndrome in Medicine—and in Parenthood ⏳ [23:00] “You Have Type 1 Diabetes”: The Diagnosis No One Expected ⏳ [31:22] From Doctor to Patient: Brian’s Journey with Diabetes Education ⏳ [35:05] The Slow Onset: Missed Signs, Mysterious Symptoms ⏳ [43:17] The Confirmation: Blood Tests, Glucose Meters and Denial ⏳ [50:11] “I Felt Like I Had No Purpose”: Drew’s Mental Health Spiral ⏳ [58:30] The Shift: Exercise, Nutrition, and Taking Back Control ⏳ [1:05:09] From Paleo to Plant-Based: A Family’s Food Evolution ⏳ [1:13:07] Darkness to Light: When Drew Finally Turned the Corner ⏳ [1:21:16] Social Media, Support Networks and Mental Resilience ⏳ [1:24:59] CGMs, Pumps and Public Perception ⏳ [1:31:18] Fear, Trust and Letting Go: A Parent’s Ongoing Journey ⏳ [1:42:09] If You’re a Parent Listening: The Advice You Need ⏳ [1:53:08] Dear Diabetes: Jill and Brian’s Letters From the Heart Hope you enjoy! If you're a parent of someone newly diagnosed—or if you just need someone who gets it—please know this: you're not alone. To learn more about Medtronic https://www.medtronic-diabetes.com.au/ Explore the MiniMed™ 780 https://www.medtronic-diabetes.com.au/products/minimed-780g-guardian-4-sensor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices