Free type 1 diabetes support

Type 1 Diabetes is hard. You don't have to figure it out alone.

One-on-one conversations for kids, teens, and parents navigating type 1 diabetes, with someone who's been living with it since age 11.

Set up a conversation How it works
Always free Virtual anywhere In person in Santa Barbara County

"I remember checking my blood sugar at recess and packing juice before every sleepover. It gets easier. I'm happy to talk about how."

Cohen Ferrari
Cohen Ferrari
Diagnosed at 11 · UCSB biology, pre-med
Who it's for

For the whole family, at whatever stage you're in.

Whether you got the diagnosis last week or you've been at it for years and just want someone who gets it.

For kids & teens

Talk to someone who's actually been there.

Alarms going off in class, explaining it to friends, figuring out how to be a normal kid with a pump or a CGM. I've done all of it, and I'm happy to just talk.

  • Telling friends, teammates, and teachers
  • Sports, parties, and staying over at friends' houses
  • Heading to college and managing on your own
For parents

You're learning a whole new job overnight.

Carb counts, night checks, school plans, and the worry that comes with all of it. I can't replace your care team, but I can tell you what it looked like from the kid's side and what actually helped.

  • What to expect in the first months at home and at school
  • Handling sleepovers, sports, and trips
  • How to give your kid independence as they grow
How it works

Simple, low-pressure, and on your schedule.

01

Reach out

Send a quick email with a little about your situation and what you're hoping to talk about.

02

We pick a time

We'll find a time that works for a video call, or meet in person if you're in Santa Barbara County.

03

We talk

A relaxed conversation: your questions, my experience. Follow up as often or as rarely as you like.

Always free.
Cohen Ferrari smiling outdoors at night
My story

Hi, I'm Cohen.

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 11.

Growing up, that meant checking my blood sugar at lunch and recess, being reminded to pack juice before heading to a friend's house, and hearing my glucose alarm go off in the middle of class. When I left for college, I had to learn to manage it on my own, far from home.

Today I'm a biology student at UC Santa Barbara preparing for medical school. I helped start UCSB's Diabetes Link club, I do undergraduate neuroscience research, and I've served as president of my fraternity. Outside of school I play music, ski, skate, fish, and spend as much time outdoors as I can.

T1D comes with hard moments. It also taught me a lot about myself, and it hasn't kept me from the life I want. I started Next Step T1D so families have someone to talk to who's been through it, especially in the beginning, when everything feels overwhelming.

For clinicians & care teams

A peer-support resource for your newly diagnosed families.

Next Step T1D gives patients and parents someone to talk to who has lived with T1D. Medical questions always go back to you.

What I do

  • Share lived experience of growing up with T1D
  • Talk through everyday life: school, friends, sports, college
  • Offer emotional support and a sense of "you're not alone"
  • Encourage families to bring medical questions to their care team

What I don't do

  • Give medical advice or make treatment recommendations
  • Adjust or suggest insulin doses, ratios, or device settings
  • Diagnose, triage, or handle urgent medical situations
  • Charge families anything, ever

Want cards for your clinic, or have questions first? Email me at cohenferrari.nextstept1d@gmail.com.

Questions

Common questions

Is this really free?

Yes. There's no cost and nothing to sign up for. I've been doing this informally for years and wanted to make it easier for families to find.

Are you a doctor or a medical professional?

No. I'm a pre-med student with lived experience of type 1 diabetes. I don't give medical advice. For anything about dosing, devices, or treatment, please talk to your diabetes care team.

Who should reach out, the parent or the kid?

Either. Parents often reach out first, and many kids and teens prefer to talk directly. For anyone under 18, I'll make sure a parent or guardian knows about our conversations.

Do you only meet in Santa Barbara?

In-person meetings are in Santa Barbara County. Video calls work from anywhere.

What if it's an emergency?

This isn't an emergency service. For severe lows, signs of DKA, or any urgent concern, call 911 or your care team's after-hours line right away.

Get in touch

Let's talk.

Send a short note about your situation and what kind of support you're looking for. I'll get back to you to set up a time.

Virtual meetings anywhere · In person in Santa Barbara County

Emailcohenferrari.nextstept1d@gmail.com