Living with Diabetes

Meet Advanced School Advocate, Kathy Risk-Sego

"I love giving parents light bulb moments."

Kathy Risk-Sego, a music teacher from Madison, Indiana, was angry. It had been recommended that her 8-year-old son, Hunter, be moved from his school because he had Type 1 diabetes. After several, but ultimately failed, attempts to convince administrators they could work out simple accommodations, Kathy contacted the American Diabetes Association (ADA), learned that other Indiana families were dealing with similar issues and immersed herself in researching solutions to this problem. Kathy became involved as an ADA volunteer advocate and her persistence paid off when, in 2007, the state of Indiana passed Safe at School legislation.

After that, Safe at School became Kathy's passion and mission. She attended ADA’s first Advanced School Advocate training session and was then able to help other parents fight for their children’s rights. In fact, Kathy has held over 15 parent Safe at School workshops and helped over 50 families improve the quality of daily school life for their children with diabetes. Kathy believes that "parents need to be empowered." Her experience as a teacher made her a natural for this advocacy role and, among other factors, Kathy credits support from ADA's national and local offices for keeping her motivated to continue as an Advanced School Advocate. "I want to do whatever I can to help carry out the ADA mission. This is my way of paying back."

Meet Advanced School Advocate, Kitty Koffer

Program Goals

Who Are Advanced School Advocates

Advanced School Advocacy Training Program

Information on the Association's Safe at School campaign

Information on unfair treatment due to diabetes

Many dedicated attorneys and health care professionals help the Association's legal advocacy efforts. Learn more:

• Advocacy Attorney Network
• Health Care Professional Legal Advocacy Network