Jesse Was Here—A Program of Beyond Type 1
About Jesse Was Here
Jesse Was Here—a program of Beyond Type 1—provides resources, support and tools for those navigating life after a type 1 diabetes (T1D) death.
An Update from Beyond Type 1
The Beyond Type 1 team is sad to share the sudden passing of Michelle Bauer, the driving force behind Jesse Was Here. Michelle, her husband Jeff, and three other passionate T1D advocates—Josh and Tammy Stahl and Barry Sievers—died tragically on November 1, 2024.
Her impact on our community will never be forgotten. We invite you to join us in sending love to Michelle and Jeff’s children and extended family.
Here you will find:
- Resources for the early days, weeks and months—from planning a service or creating a memorial fund to thoughtfully removing your loved one from social media or explaining T1D to others.
- Stories from those who have experienced loss—some after living with T1D, others due to a missed diagnosis.
- Connection with others—fellow parents, siblings, spouses or loved ones—in a private Facebook group for parents and siblings.
- Opportunities to celebrate your loved one through legacy projects, raise awareness about T1D or support others navigating loss.
- Additional content as we build this vital resource.
- For Spanish, visit our Spanish page.
Inspiration
Jesse Was Here was inspired by the late Michelle Bauer Alswager’s experience after the sudden death of her 13-year-old son, Jesse, from type 1 diabetes. Grieving the loss of her child, and the potential loss of the diabetes community, she created an online community to support parents who had also lost their children to type 1 diabetes.
By connecting with others who shared her experience, she realized many of those seeking support and opportunities to honor their loved ones struggle with unexpected funeral expenses, ongoing medical bills and sometimes even the funds for a headstone.
Through her efforts, she discovered many others—not just parents of young children—were looking for peer support, practical information, coping tools and financial assistance. Working together, Michelle and the team at Beyond Type 1 created a very special program to serve this unique and deserving community.
For parents
Please consider joining the private support group for parents on Facebook.
From Coping to Healing (And Everything in Between) — An Interview with Michelle Bauer
Michelle Bauer sits down with Beyond Type 1 to discuss her newest book, Jesse Was Here (More Lasagna, Please): Feeding the Soul of a Grieving Mother. MORE
Losing Mikey To Diabetic Ketoacidosis + Undiagnosed T1D
Marie Cohen shares her story about grief after losing her 25 year-old son Michael to DKA and undiagnosed type 1 diabetes.MORE
12 Honest Answers about What Lies Ahead
Eight years after losing her son, Michelle shares her advice for navigating the loss of a child with type 1 diabetes.MORE
The Importance of Finding a Community For Grief
Grieving the loss of a loved one, especially a child, to type 1 diabetes can be difficult. You don’t have to do it alone.MORE
How To Support Someone Grieving: Don’t Say These
Supporting a friend or relative through grief can be challenging. Choosing your words wisely is always a good idea. Here's what not to say.MORE
When You Lose A Child, Grief Changes You Forever
Kathie Natzke talks about life after losing her son, what grief looked like a year later and how she’ll never be the same person again. MORE
Managing Social Media After A Loved One Passes
After losing a loved one, their memory on social media may be too painful. Here is some info on how to handle their accounts.MORE
Getting Counseling Help For Grief
There’s no wrong or right way to navigate grief after losing a child to type 1 diabetes. Counseling can help so you never feel alone.MORE
Getting Financial Support After A Loss
Losing a loved one can leave piles of medical bills and funeral costs. Setting up a fundraising page can help ease that burden.MORE
The Friends + Family Guide to Helping Parents Heal After Loss
Not sure how to help a grieving friend? Michelle shares things you can do to help someone you love through grief and healing.MORE
‘Rare Until It Happens to You’—Remembering Kycie Terry
October 11th would have been Kycie Terry's 15th birthday. Her parents spoke to Beyond Type 1 about her and the importance of advocating for the warning signs of type 1 diabetes.MOREResources
Please consider joining the private support group for siblings on Facebook.
“Jesse Was Here (More Lasagna, Please): Feeding the Soul of a Grieving Mother” Book Review
In a new book, Michelle Bauer recounts her son Jesse’s life with T1D, interactions following his death, and practical advice for those experiencing grief.MOREThe Importance of Finding a Community For Grief
Grieving the loss of a loved one, especially a child, to type 1 diabetes can be difficult. You don’t have to do it alone.MOREHow To Support Someone Grieving: Don’t Say These
Supporting a friend or relative through grief can be challenging. Choosing your words wisely is always a good idea. Here's what not to say.MOREGetting Counseling Help For Grief
There’s no wrong or right way to navigate grief after losing a child to type 1 diabetes. Counseling can help so you never feel alone.MOREGetting Financial Support After A Loss
Losing a loved one can leave piles of medical bills and funeral costs. Setting up a fundraising page can help ease that burden.MOREThe Friends + Family Guide to Helping Parents Heal After Loss
Not sure how to help a grieving friend? Michelle shares things you can do to help someone you love through grief and healing.MOREStories
My Brother Died from DKA
Knowing there are many misconceptions about T1D, a woman set out to improve public education after her brother died from a DKA complication.MOREFrom Coping to Healing (And Everything in Between) — An Interview with Michelle Bauer
Michelle Bauer sits down with Beyond Type 1 to discuss her newest book, Jesse Was Here (More Lasagna, Please): Feeding the Soul of a Grieving Mother. MORE
Survivor’s Guilt: Losing My Brother to DKA
I should've told my sister-in-law over and over again how important it was to pay attention to his health and get him treatment immediately if he was sick. Death from DKA is preventable, and I kn...MORELosing Mikey To Diabetic Ketoacidosis + Undiagnosed T1D
Marie Cohen shares her story about grief after losing her 25 year-old son Michael to DKA and undiagnosed type 1 diabetes.MORE
Gaining Purpose After Losing My Brother Travis
Losing a sibling with diabetes is hard, but can also create beautiful unexpected outcomes. Hear how Travis’s memory is now saving lives. MORE‘Rare Until It Happens to You’—Remembering Kycie Terry
October 11th would have been Kycie Terry's 15th birthday. Her parents spoke to Beyond Type 1 about her and the importance of advocating for the warning signs of type 1 diabetes.MORE
