Our daughter was newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and we had just been discharged from a three-day admission at the Children's Hospital of Georgia. My husband and I were frightened; we had a ton of unanswered questions, and our emotions were all over the place. Not to mention, our daughter had just gone through something incomprehensible for a child her age. Upon meeting Mr. Horne at our initial endocrinology visit, I could tell his whole demeanor was that of a calm, friendly, and welcoming individual. What stood out the most about that day was the very first words he asked me as a parent and caregiver: 'How are you doing, Mom?' That question, which seemed so simple and almost customary, was precisely what I needed to hear. He took the time to acknowledge the parent who had just had their world torn apart. He felt it was essential to check in on the caregiver who would now have to manage their child's diabetes. Admitting that I was not okay was a harsh reality. I just cried, thinking about how our world had just changed overnight, grieving the life we had before the diagnosis and anticipating the obstacles and challenges that lay ahead for our daughter. Mr. Horne not only validated my feelings but also allowed me to express all my emotions.

That initial meeting with Mr. Horne was crucial for all of us. It set the bar and showed us the excellent care that our daughter would be receiving. It reminded us that we were not alone and, in fact, had a strong pediatric diabetes team and a proper support system. We immediately felt a sense of ease and reassurance that everything would be all right. At that initial visit, Mr. Horne took the time to explain everything to us, including details about pediatric Type 1 diabetes and answered all our questions. Our daughter was acknowledged and included throughout our entire stay. She even walked away with a new stuffed animal friend. Every time we tell her we have an appointment with Mr. Horne, she gets excited. She truly looks forward to her visits with Mr. Horne and Dr. Houk. We are incredibly grateful to the Pediatric Diabetic Clinic, especially Mr. Horne, for his knowledge, professionalism, and genuine compassion.