Type 1 Diabetes

What began as a fun-filled spring break vacation quickly became a life-changing experience for 10-year-old Anne Grantham "Grant" Ellis and her family.

While vacationing on the Florida Gulf Coast in March 2026, Grant became seriously ill. Within hours, she was diagnosed with new-onset Type 1 diabetes and was in critical condition. A family beach trip suddenly turned into a medical emergency that required urgent, specialized pediatric care.

Grant was first transported by ambulance from an urgent care clinic in Santa Rosa Beach to Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. As physicians stabilized her, they searched for an available pediatric intensive care bed. Nearby children's hospitals were full, and plans were initially made to transfer her across the state.

At her family's request, Children's of Alabama was contacted.

Not only did Children's have an available Pediatric Intensive Care Unit bed, but the hospital's transport team was also ready to bring Grant safely home to Birmingham.

For Grant's mother, who is also a physician, learning that she would not be able to accompany her critically ill daughter on the medical helicopter was one of the most difficult moments of the experience.

That fear quickly began to ease when the Children's transport team arrived.

"The transport team immediately inspired confidence," her mother Shannon recalled. "They were calm, compassionate, and incredibly capable. In one of the scariest moments of our lives, they gave us reassurance when we needed it most."

Flight nurse Myra Waddell made a lasting impression on the family. She carefully explained what to expect, answered questions with patience, and reassured Grant's mother that her daughter would receive exceptional care during the flight. After arriving safely in Birmingham, Myra continued to check in with the family, even contacting Grant's grandfather while the rest of the family made the drive home from Florida and following up the next day.

Those simple acts of kindness meant everything.

"When you're told you can't ride with your critically ill child, your mind immediately goes to the worst-case scenario," Shannon said. "As both a physician and a mom, I was overwhelmed. Myra's calm presence and genuine compassion allowed me to trust that Grant was exactly where she needed to be."

By the time Grant arrived at Children's of Alabama, the transport team had already set the tone for the care that would follow.
Grant spent three days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, where she was cared for by an experienced team of physicians, nurses, and specialists. The family especially appreciated the guidance of pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Jessica Schmitt, who helped them navigate the overwhelming reality of a new Type 1 diabetes diagnosis.

Throughout Grant's hospitalization, the family experienced more than exceptional medical care — they experienced compassion.

The PICU nurses combined clinical expertise with genuine kindness, helping both Grant and her parents feel supported every step of the way. The newly renovated unit provided a comfortable environment during an incredibly stressful time, while thoughtful touches including activities, gifts and a Candy Land event hosted for patients and families. All helped brighten Grant's hospital stay.

"Everyone we encountered cared about Grant as a child, not just as a patient," Shannon added. "That made all the difference."

Before leaving the hospital, Grant and her family had learned how to count carbohydrates, administer insulin, monitor blood sugar levels and confidently manage Type 1 diabetes at home. Although the diagnosis changed many aspects of daily life, the education and encouragement they received at Children's gave them the confidence to move forward.

Today, just a few months later, Grant is thriving.

She wears a continuous glucose monitor, manages multiple insulin injections each day, carefully counts carbohydrates and continues learning how to live with Type 1 diabetes. Despite the challenges, she hasn't slowed down.

Grant spends three to four days each week playing tennis, participating in clinics, lessons and junior team matches. She also loves swimming, whether in a pool, lake or the ocean, and enjoys spending every chance she gets with family and friends.

"Most people would never know everything she manages every single day," Shannon commented. "She is resilient, joyful and incredibly brave."

Looking back, Grant's family remains deeply grateful, not only for the expertise that helped save her life, but for the compassion that surrounded them throughout the journey.

From the transport team that safely brought Grant home, to the physicians who guided her treatment, to the nurses who cared for her with extraordinary kindness, every member of the Children's of Alabama team made an unforgettable impact.

"The medical care was outstanding," Shannon said. "But what we'll remember forever is how every person made us feel. During one of the hardest moments of our lives, they gave us hope, comfort and the confidence that Grant was in the very best hands."