“It Makes Me So Disappointed” Elise Cataldo Gives Testimony on Living With Type 1 Diabetes

In this video, Elise Cataldo, a 15-year-old from Hooksett, New Hampshire, shares her compelling journey living with type 1 diabetes before a U.S. Senate Committee, including Chair Murray, Vice Chair Collins, Senator Shaheen, and other distinguished members. Diagnosed at just 18 months old, Cataldo's narrative is unique as she has never experienced life without diabetes, setting a poignant backdrop for her testimony. Her story is not just a personal account but a testament to the significant advancements in diabetes management technology and the critical role of legislative support in these developments.
Cataldo vividly describes the evolution of diabetes care over her lifetime, highlighting the transformation from a time when continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps with artificial pancreas technology were not available to the present day. She credits these advancements to the dedication of researchers, clinical trial participants, advocacy groups like JDRF, and notably, the support from senators and the Special Diabetes Program (SDP). The SDP-funded clinical trials, she points out, have been instrumental in the FDA approval of life-changing technologies like the control IQ algorithm in her insulin pump, which adjusts insulin delivery based on glucose levels, significantly improving her quality of life.
Beyond the technological narrative, Cataldo shares insights into her daily life, balancing the typical activities of a teenager, such as playing soccer and basketball, with the constant vigilance required to manage her condition. She dreams of a future where she can pursue college, become a Division 1 athlete, and study psychology to support children with medical conditions as a child life specialist. However, the omnipresent challenge of diabetes management and the distressing reality that many Americans struggle to afford insulin underscore the urgency of her message to the committee.
Cataldo's testimony is not just a call for continued support of programs like the SDP but also a plea for broader legislative action to ensure affordable access to essential diabetes care for all Americans. Her narrative is a powerful reminder of the impact of diabetes on millions of lives and the potential for policy to transform these lives positively.