Bridget Montgomery’s introduction to type 1 diabetes was when her son, Clifford, was diagnosed in DKA at the age of 6. It was at their initial type 1 diabetes training through Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh that she learned about the opportunity to participate in TrialNet.

Maggie’s TrialNet Journey

Clifford’s sister, Maggie, was screened when she was 1 year old along with her 3 sisters, and they all tested negative for type 1 diabetes related autoantibodies. Maggie and her sisters returned annually for rescreening, and when Maggie turned 4, Bridget found out she had developed all 5 of the diabetes related autoantibodies.

Although the family was initially heartbroken, Bridget shares what a blessing it was to get a heads up for Maggie that she didn’t have for Clifford.

“We decided to enroll Maggie into close monitoring because we’ve been interested in the research, and we really wanted to see how the progression of the disease goes and keep a closer eye on her throughout everything”

Maggie’s Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis

Through TrialNet’s monitoring program, Maggie was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

“Maggie’s diagnosis was a much better on the family emotionally because she was awake, she was alert, she knew what was going on. Clifford was unconscious and I didn’t know if he would live or die. So this time it was much easier overall”

Because Maggie was diagnosed through the Pathway to Prevention Study, she became eligible to participate in the LIFT study. (Long-Term Investigative Follow-up in TrialNet Study) LIFT helps to monitor Maggie's disease progression, insulin requirements, long-term effects, etc.

Bridget’s Advice to other Families

“We’ve been participating in TrialNet for about five years now, and we’ve come to love the staff. Everyone on the staff is wonderful. And for anyone considering participating, I would give this piece of advice to do it, even if you’re on the fence about it, because it was amazing for our family.”

Read more about the Montgomery’s TrialNet journey on her blog at http://bridgetwrites.blogspot.com/2017/01/early-detection-of-type-1-diabetes.html