Health care
BY AUDREY BAKER
BraveONE program for kids with Type 1 diabetes to launch pilot in Conroe Brandi Pillow came up with the idea for bra- veONE, a free mentorship program for children and teens with Type 1 diabetes, in April, a few months after her daughter was diagnosed with the disease in September.
Breaking down braveONE The organization oers free mentorship for children and teens with Type 1 diabetes.
“Essentially, I wanted to create a mentorship program that models one-on-one, consistent connection in those everyday moments for kids with Type 1 [diabetes], because they need that support,” Pillow said. Since she announced the program to the public, Pillow said she has seen interest from nine dierent states and is planning to launch a local pilot in Conroe before the end of the year. The inspiration Pillow said her daughter Bella was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes a few weeks before her third birthday. “Shortly after she was diagnosed, she started asking questions that I just didn’t know how to answer, and it was one night that she asked me, ‘Mom, why doesn’t Baelor [her sister] have to get pokies?’” Pillow said. “In that moment, I realized that I can support her in all the ways that a mom can, but I will never understand what it’s like to live with diabetes.” That realization sparked the idea for braveONE, which will match children with Type 1 diabetes with adults who have been in their shoes, she said. About the program Pillow said the program will consist of fun, low-cost outings between mentees and trained mentors. “Think walks in the park, going out to get ice
will consist of fun, low- cost outings between mentees and trained mentors at least six months of mentorship, with outings taking place on a weekly or biweekly basis is launching a local pilot in Conroe before the end of the year
Brandi Pillow came up with the idea for braveONE after her daughter was diagnosed with the disease.
COURTESY BRANDI PILLOW
cream, going to an arcade, going to the library or even just showing up at lunch and eating with them, and showing o your medical devices,” Pillow said. Mentors will commit to at least six months of mentorship, with the hope that the relationship lasts longer, Pillow said. Outings will take place on a weekly or biweekly basis. Pillow said braveONE, which is seeking nonprot status, is currently in the nal stages of securing scal sponsorship. After that, the organization will begin background checks and training for its local pilot in Conroe, which is set to launch its rst matches by this winter. Going forward Pillow eventually plans to expand braveONE across the country, with chapters run by local
communities. She said 15 people across the country have already applied to be mentors, and six families have signed up their child to be mentored. “There’s so much support out there in the diabetes world. Summer camps; they have the annual walks; they have diabetes month in November, but our kids shouldn’t have to wait for those moments to feel included and to feel understood,” Pillow said. “BraveONE was created to ll that gap.” Those who are interested in matching their child with a mentor or applying to be a mentor themselves can ll out an interest form on braveONE’s website at www.braveone.org.
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