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When Chadd Thompson began his career at Verizon as a college student, he couldn’t have imagined that 28 years later, he’d be balancing high-level executive roles with the immense responsibilities of parenting a medically fragile child. In a deeply personal interview for the Trust Me Mom show, Chadd shared how his daughter Kendal’s type 1 diabetes diagnosis at just 18 months old reshaped his life - both professionally and personally. A Life-Changing Diagnosis Chadd recalls the moment they learned Kendal had type 1 diabetes, a condition in which the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. At such a young age, Kendal’s symptoms such as lethargy, excessive thirst, and constant diaper changes, were subtle but concerning. A visit to the pediatrician revealed a blood sugar level of 700, where a normal range is between 80 and 120. It was a moment that forever changed their family's trajectory. Learning Through Community Navigating a complex medical diagnosis without the robust internet resources we have today was overwhelming. The Thompsons leaned heavily on the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (currently known as Breakthrough T1DTM), which connected them with other parents and support systems. Community quickly became one of the family’s lifelines, offering empathy, education, and shared experience.  The Power of Structure One of Chadd’s greatest takeaways from this journey was the importance of structure. With or without a medical condition, he believes children thrive on routine. But for Kendal, structure was non-negotiable. Every meal, every activity, and every interaction had to be meticulously planned and documented. Blood sugar checks happened up to eight times a day, often even in the middle of the night. Snacks and meals were calculated by carbohydrate content and followed by insulin injections or, later, pump-based dosing. Chadd recalls, “I'd look at an apple and say, based on the size of that apple, that's 20 grams of carbohydrates. I'd do the math, and I'd say, all right, that's one unit of insulin. I'd draw that out and then I would check her blood sugar first, see what it is. And if it was low at first, maybe I'd let her eat it a little bit and then I would give her a shot to kind of regulate that number. Because the goal is to keep her in a range.” As a parent raising a very young child with type 1 diabetes, Chadd knew she couldn't read labels or understand numbers. The scariest part was that if Chadd’s daughter’s blood sugar was too low, it meant she had too much insulin, and she could pass out and die from it. Adapting and Evolving At age three, Kendal began using an insulin pump - a major shift that reduced the number of daily injections and allowed for more flexibility, particularly during social events like birthday parties. While managing diabetes in public settings remained challenging, Chadd and his wife worked hard to ensure Kendal felt included and confident. Over time, Kendal became more self-sufficient, learning to manage her own glucose levels and dietary needs. Today, she wears a continuous glucose monitor connected to her pump and smartphone – a great example of how technology is revolutionizing diabetes care.  Emotional Toll and Family Dynamics Many families caring for medically fragile children would agree that managing a chronic health condition touches every aspect of family life. Chadd and his then-wife balanced demanding careers while coordinating around Kendal’s needs. They shared early-morning and overnight caregiving duties, all while caring for a second child who was later diagnosed with celiac disease. Corporate life, especially pre-COVID, frequently made it difficult for Chadd to fulfill his responsibilities as a caregiver. Still, he credits his experience as a diabetes dad for honing the skills like planning, scheduling, attention to detail that served him well in business leadership. Kendal’s Growth and Advocacy
Despite years of finger pricks, injections, and food limitations, Kendal internalized her experience and now channels it into helping others. As a young adult, she’s pursuing work with children who face adversity, hoping her story can inspire and support others walking a similar path. A Family Transformed Chadd’s story is a powerful reminder of how personal challenges can forge resilience, empathy, and even professional skills. His daughter’s health condition transformed the entire family, prompting deeper compassion. “You just figure it out,” Chadd says. “You do it because you have to.” He encourages other families going through similar challenges to lean on community, embrace structure, and remember they’re not alone. “There’s definitely hope,” Chadd concludes. And from the way he and Kendal have navigated this journey, it’s clear they’re living proof of that.
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