About the Team

Thriveabetes is organised by a team of dedicated volunteers who live with type 1 diabetes. We are all passionate about bringing people with type 1 diabetes together to share what we deal with every day and to learn from each other as well as world-class speakers.

Thriveabetes Founders

Gráinne Flynn

Founder

Gráinne Flynn is the co-founder of Thriveabetes. She lives in Co. Clare, Ireland and has been living with diabetes since 1993. Gráinne started volunteering with Diabetes Ireland in 2007 and helped to set up Support Groups and Public Information Events on Diabetes in Clare.

Christine Meehan

Founder & Exhibition Manager

Christine is one of the founding members of Thriveabetes. Christine was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2006 when she was 34 years old. She was born in America, but at the age of 9, she moved to Ireland and has been living in Clare since.

Christine is currently employed as a Community Engagement Specialist at Cooperative Housing Ireland and has a BA in Community and Family Studies from the University of Galway. She also has a certificate in Addiction Studies from Maynooth University and a Diploma in Life and Business Coaching from the Life Coach Institute of Ireland.

Rebecca Brannon

Founder (Retired)

Originally from America but living in Co. Clare for 17 years, and is the owner and manager of Ballyvara House, a luxury self-catering guesthouse. Rebecca has 3 daughters, the eldest of which is 16 and was diagnosed when she was 8. Rebecca’s father also has type 1 diabetes (since the age of 13). She has been fundraising for Diabetes Ireland through participating in Run-a-Muck, the LA Marathon and several of the Clare 10K runs.

Thriveabetes Team

Ken Barclay

Audio/Visual Technical Support

Ken, from Dublin, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was ten years old. Ken is well known in the Dublin Adults with Type 1 Diabetes group and also in the DIYAPS Do-it-yourself Artificial Pancreas Systems space, where he offers endless support to people who want to learn more about it.

Laura Cooke

Adult with Type 1 Diabetes Programme & Event booklet Coordinator

Laura has lived with type 1 diabetes for the 33 years, diagnosed at age nine. In that time, she has overcome many hurdles and faced many challenges throughout her teens, early 20s and adulthood that inspired her to become a patient advocate. She is founder and group leader of the Laois Diabetes Support Group and a member of the Diabetes Ireland Advocacy Group (DIAG). She also sits on the patient advisory committee (PAC) for the European Hypo-RESOLVE Project, which is investigating Hypoglycemia and its impact in diabetes.

Eoghan Cregan

Young Type 1 Programme & Graphic Designer

Eoghan joined Thriveabetes this year with the aim of giving back to the diabetes community in Ireland. As well as facilitating at the event, he is also the in-house graphic designer. Eoghan was diagnosed in 2005 at the age of eleven. Although his journey with diabetes has been bumpy, to say the least, while navigating school, college and early adult life, he has picked up a myriad of life experiences along the way. He works as a Housing Officer with Cooperative Housing Ireland, providing socially affordable housing to individuals and families in Ireland who need it most.

Audrey O’Neill

Parents Programme

Audrey is one of the founding members of a parents' Facebook support group, “Parents of Children & Teens with Type 1 Diabetes in Ireland’ the group was started 11 years ago after three mums met up and realised the importance of talking about life with diabetes, there are now has over 3100 members. Audrey is mum to Rachel, diagnosed with type 1 at age 10.

Paula Short

Parents Programme

Paula has been a Psychotherapist and group facilitator for more than two decades. Even with this experience, when her son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 7, it was a huge challenge for the entire family and included a lengthy period of adjustment and grief. Paula’s son is now 17 so the family have lived with Type 1 for 10 years. Paula is very mindful of the impact on other parents when their child receives a similar diagnosis and offers valuable support at this difficult time. Paula has a Master of Arts in Humanistic and Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy and a Bachelor of Science honours degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Paula’s website is www.paulashort.net

Philip Short

Parents’ Programme & Registration Coordinator

Philip works as a Musical Director and runs Loughrea Youth Theatre, teaching 6-18-year-olds acting, singing and dancing. His son, Theo, was diagnosed with Type I when he was 7, ten years ago. Philip’s family have all benefited from the conferences through the years, exchanging stories and tips with other parents and getting the latest tech information.

Catherine Showler

Parents’ Programme

Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 4, Catherine trained as a pharmacist and works in hospital and community pharmacy. She is a keen traveller who has witnessed and studied diabetes care in many countries. Following the diagnosis of her young daughters, Catherine committed to working to improve the quality of life of those living with diabetes and is currently studying for a Masters in Diabetes Care.

Passionate about lifelong education, diabetic parenting, early adoption of life-improving technology and living abundantly with diabetes- Catherine is an authentic type 1!

Aisling White

Young Adult Programme

Aisling has been living with type 1 diabetes for the past 27 years. She currently works as a primary school teacher. She also promotes peer support and advocacy for those living with diabetes and is involved in many groups, including the Limerick Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Support Group and the Diabetes Ireland Advocacy Group. She participated in the International Diabetes Federation Europe's Youth Leadership Programme and the One Young World Leadership Platform. Aisling also provides continuing professional development courses for school staff entitled ‘Diabetes in Schools’ run by local education centres that provide the course to school staff for free or a nominal fee (depending on the centre).

Connect with Aisling as @type1_on_the_run on Facebook, Instagram and on Linkedin.