Marisol's Story
Marisol’s life changed the Friday before her first day of school in 2025, when doctors at Johns Hopkins Children's Center diagnosed her with Type 1 diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious and sometime life-threatening condition resulting from diabetes. In what should have been a time filled with excitement and new beginnings, she and her family now faced fear, uncertainty and a completely unfamiliar reality.
Her parents were worried and overwhelmed. Marisol spent several days in the pediatric intensive care unit before moving to the general pediatrics floor.
During that time, Marisol and her family were surrounded by nurses, dietitians, fellows, residents and attending physicians, who provided knowledge and compassion during one of the most frightening moments of their lives.
Through meetings with the hospital team, Marisol's parents received assurance on multiple levels — assurance that her diagnosis was not their fault, assurance that she should be able to live a normal life, and assurance that they would have the resources to handle this new normal. Marisol's parents learned about carb counting, insulin and medical supplies. Through it all, they never felt rushed, dismissed or alone.
After discharge, Marisol's endocrinology team continued to check in on her, even calling on weekends to check her blood sugar and reassure her parents that things were moving in the right direction. They also provided information on support groups for children and families dealing with diabetes.
Thanks to Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Marisol and her family have adjusted to their new normal.