ELM GROVE, Wis. — During the pandemic, Belle Krueger and her family created a TikTok page dedicated to raising awareness on Type 1 Diabetes. 

“We have 113,500 followers,” said Belle Krueger.

Four years later, she said she had no clue how big of an impact they would make. 

“It made us feel good to normalize our lives to see that we’re not the only ones,” said Belle Krueger.

Belle is one of eight siblings, and six of the eight have diabetes. Her mother, Maggie Krueger, said it was a challenge learning how to navigate six children with type 1.

“Right now, it’s easy,” said Maggie Krueger. “It feels easy. I’ve worked as a mental health nurse for many years too and I thought gosh this is what PTSD must be like. I’m over it but also recognizing. Okay my pump dislodged, or my Dexcom fell off, or I forgot my lunch. I don’t have enough carbs. I don’t have enough snacks.”

As her children got older, she said it got easier. Maggie’s biggest piece of advice to parents with diabetic children is to give them the confidence to succeed. 

Belle Krueger is one of eight siblings and six of the eight have diabetes. Her mother Maggie Krueger said it was a challenge learning how to navigate six children with Type 1 Diabetes. (Courtesy: Belle Krueger)

“When we would tend to micromanage them,” said Maggie Krueger. “You shouldn’t eat this, you shouldn’t eat that. For us, it backfired because they’re not always with us. If they can’t function at school knowing whether or not they should have a cupcake, I don’t think I taught them to fly.”

For Belle, she’s proud of how far she’s come since her diagnoses. She said she is teaching others that they shouldn’t be ashamed of having diabetes. 

“If you would have told me post diagnoses calling my dad in the school cafeteria crying, please come give me my shot,” said Belle Krueger. “If you would have told me in a couple of years I would be filming myself, injecting myself and posting it in online for everybody and anybody to see, I’d be like no you’re lying.”

Since creating their social media accounts, the Kreugers have landed new opportunities. That includes brand collaborations and working alongside diabetes treatment companies.

Belle shows her social media account. She’s proud of how far she’s come since her diagnoses. She said she is teaching others that they shouldn’t be ashamed of having diabetes. (Spectrum News 1/Abbey Taylor)

Belle has even decided to make a career out of digital marketing to continue helping others going through the same journey as her and her family.  

Follow along their TikTok - @kruegersplust1d
Follow along their Instagram - @kruegersplust1d

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misspelled Dexcom. This has been corrected. (July 26, 2024)