Most people living with diabetes eventually learn that numbers alone—carb counts, insulin units, time-in-range, pump settings—are not what create mastery. These metrics matter, of course, but diabetes is not mastered in spreadsheets or apps. It is mastered in real life: in the quiet moments of self-observation, in the choices you make while exhausted, traveling, grieving, celebrating, or stressed. The true work of diabetes happens in patterns, emotions, routines, and the slow accumulation of experience. That’s why a diabetes educator becomes indispensable.

I’m Mary Rose Deraco, a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES). I started off my career in a type 1 diabetes unit at Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, I worked a short stint in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry and eventually ended up specializing in adults with type 1 diabetes.

Many people know Justin Eastzer, the Founder of Diabetech, and the way he openly discusses the challenges of diagnosis, misinformation, fear, and the steep learning curve of type 1 diabetes. I’ve worked with Justin since his T1D diagnosis in May 2021. Over the years, we've worked together to build the knowledge, intuition, and emotional resilience that many people develop with the right support. Early in our partnership, I told him what I tell everyone: “Give yourself one full year. I’ll walk beside you the entire way. Together, we will master this.”

That timeline is not arbitrary. It aligns with behavioral science, adult learning theory, and the lived experience of thousands of people who discover that mastery requires time, guidance, and compassionate support. But don’t get discouraged. If it has been over a year and you haven’t achieved mastery, or you’ve become lost in old habits, it is not too late! You can start working on diabetes self-management at any time.

Diabetes is a medical condition, not a verdict. It is not a barrier to joy, adventure, or ambition. With the right tools and education, people with diabetes travel, exercise, build families, pursue meaningful careers, enjoy food, and live full and expansive lives. Mastery is absolutely possible—but it does not happen in isolation or overnight.

Diabetes management requires multidimensional skills: understanding physiology, interpreting data, navigating nutrition, using technology correctly, adjusting for exercise, coping with stress, regulating emotions, and troubleshooting problems in real time. No one learns all of this alone or overnight, and no one should be expected to.

This is where the diabetes educator enters the story.

A Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) is trained to guide people through the clinical, emotional, technological, and behavioral complexities of diabetes. CDCES’ come from nursing, nutrition, pharmacy, medicine, mental health, and exercise physiology, but what unites us is a shared purpose: helping people become confident, capable, and self-sufficient in managing their own diabetes.

In practice, a CDCES translates complex science into realistic steps that make sense in someone’s daily life. We help people understand the “why” behind their patterns so they can make informed decisions rather than guesses. We collaborate with you to guide behavior change at a pace that respects a person’s emotional readiness. We support emotional well-being—because fear of lows, burnout, frustration, shame, and identity disruptions are as real as any glucose spike. We help people master technology such as pumps, CGMs, and algorithms, not just at the technical level but in the context of meals, movement, stress, and sleep. We tailor strategies to individual lives, not generic guidelines. And we serve as connectors—collaborating with endocrinologists, primary care clinicians, mental health providers, and others to ensure coordinated care. Above all, a diabetes educator walks beside you—not above you—offering clarity, accountability, encouragement, and a safe space to learn and grow without judgment.

This partnership is not just helpful, it is evidence-based. Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) improves A1C, enhances self-care behaviors, reduces complications, strengthens emotional well-being, and lowers healthcare costs (Source). A 2024 meta-analysis confirmed that structured education leads to long-term improvements in cardiometabolic health and self-management skills (Source).

With some health insurances, diabetes education is free! At least it was for Justin when he was diagnosed, and still is today, with his Blue Shield of CA insurance. Because of that, he booked appointments with me whenever he wants to. Now of course, that won’t be the case for everyone, but most insurances want to support diabetes education because it helps them financially in the long run.

Despite strong evidence that DSMES improves outcomes, reduces complications, and lowers healthcare costs, it is still one of the most underutilized covered benefits in the U.S. Fewer than 5% of Medicare beneficiaries and approximately about 7% of commercially insured people ever use these services. This gap is not due to lack of value—it reflects low awareness and limited referrals. Diabetes education is covered, effective, and transformative, but far too many people are managing this complex condition without the support they are entitled to.

If you have type 1 diabetes, you have to remember—this is the rare form and it is important to seek out medical professionals experienced in your type of diabetes.

A diabetes educator is not a luxury. They are a critical part of successful long-term management. Diabetes is too complex to master in isolation. Emotional health influences glycemic outcomes. Technology requires interpretation, not just access. Behavior change takes time, accountability, and support. Interpretation of patterns requires trained eyes. And consistency — the hardest part of diabetes — is made possible when someone walks beside you with compassion, clarity, and science. You bring your life. We bring the science. And together, we build mastery.

Before growth, there must be reflection. I encourage anyone beginning a year of mastery to pause and consider a few guiding questions: What did I learn about my diabetes this year? Who or what helped me understand it better? What experiences or strategies made me feel confident and empowered? What remains challenging, confusing, or intimidating? What do I hope to master in the coming year?

These reflections are not busywork; they are the foundation for meaningful, personalized progress. If you’d like to share your reflections or make content suggestions to help you through your journey, you can reach me on Instagram.

Throughout the year, I will continue sharing skills, emotional strategies, travel guidance, management frameworks, and the science behind every recommendation. I will join Diabetech to share stories from the diabetes community–real examples of resilience, creativity, setbacks, troubleshooting, and triumph.

Justin has learned to master his diabetes. He talks about it openly and it’s an ever-evolving journey. You can master it too.

Let’s begin 2026 diabetes strong, and stay close. You are not alone.

Warm wishes, Mary Rose

Disclaimer: Diabetech content is not medical advice—it’s for educational purposes only. Always consult with a physician before making changes to your healthcare. In order to keep our content thriving, we use affiliate links. This means if you make purchases through certain links or begin services with our partners, we may earn commission (at no extra cost to you).