Type 1 Diabetes

Diabetes Support in Ireland

When you live with type 1 diabetes there is SO, SO MUCH information to learn, especially in the early days. So much, that I don’t think it is possible for any health care professional to cover absolutely everything – how could they? Then, as they years go by, we are considered the experts, and so information relevant to us falls through the cracks. One of the major benefits of diabetes support groups is that it can fill in a lot of those information gaps; such as where to register to get your many, many health checks, such as feet and eyes or if your clinic has structured education programmes. A support group also helps you to stay updated as the health information changes, which it does all the time. And it also lets you know that you are not the only one living with diabetes.

In my opinion, diabetes peer support is as important in your diabetes management as your health care providers. A support group provides opportunities to share experiences and to learn from one another. They encourage strength and resilience. Very often it’s the piece of diabetes management that you never knew you needed.

ConnecT1D in Seattle say that “people with T1D who connect with others with T1D tend to make shifts in their lifestyles that add up to better T1D management, better health and greater satisfaction in life.”

Diabetes Forecast, the American Diabetes Association’s monthly magazine says that “Much of the research on peer support has involved people with diabetes, and the findings are significant. According to a recent report by the National Peer Support Collaborative Learning Network, of 20 studies on peer support and diabetes published between 2000 and 2012, all but one found social support to be beneficial.”

It doesn’t matter if that support comes from the virtual world of social media or from face to face contact. Although, I feel that you can’t beat face to face meetups.

I believe that a diabetes support group only needs two people to meet over a cuppa to get started. That might be a simplistic view of it but that’s what it is. I suppose it helps if those two people get on well too.

If you are interested in becoming part of a Diabetes Support Group we have a list that we try to keep updated.

Diabetes Support Groups in Ireland

Another way to get connected to your type 1 diabetes community is to come to Thriveabetes 2018 in Dublin on Saturday 24th February, where you will meet, at least, 100 adults with type 1 diabetes and at least, another 100 parents of children with type 1 diabetes. Now, that's a lot of support.

Register here for Thriveabetes 2018

What to Expect at Thriveabetes as an Adult with Diabetes

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Last week, registration opened for Thriveabetes the type 1 diabetes conference which takes place on Saturday 24th February 2018 in Dublin. And with over four months until the event takes place we are almost one third of the way to being sold out. If you are an adult with type 1 diabetes you might be asking yourself what’s different about this conference?

Well, for starters, I’m an adult who has lived with type 1 diabetes for 24 years (so far) and it’s not often I get to be in a room with over one hundred other adults with insulin dependent diabetes. And just knowing that, before you walk into the room means you have made friends before you say “Hello”. An additional bonus to being in the room with so many people like me is that the only experts in the room aren’t the ones giving presentations, it’s the person sitting next to me too.

However, our speakers are world class. They come from all over the UK, US and Ireland and most of them have type 1 diabetes also.

Here is what we have planned for you as an adult with diabetes:

 

T1 International Elizabeth Rowley

Elizabeth Rowley is the Founder and Director of T1International , a global organization that advocates access to insulin, supplies, and medical care for all people with type 1 diabetes around the world. She will talk about the work her organisation does and how T1 International support local communities by giving them the tools they need to stand up for their rights so that access to insulin and diabetes supplies becomes a reality for all.

She was born in the United States and has lived with type 1 diabetes for 25 years. Elizabeth moved to London in 2011 to complete her Master’s degree in International Development and has worked with nonprofits, diabetes and health organizations ever since. She believes that where you were born should not determine whether you live or die with diabetes.

Follow Elizabeth on Twitter & FaceBook @T1international

 

Diabetes Burnout Joe Solowiejczyk

Diabetes Burnout, also referred to as diabetes distress is when someone with diabetes grows tired of managing their condition, and then simply ignores it for a period of time, or worse, forever.

Type 1 isn’t just about counting carbs, checking glucose levels and taking insulin. The disease takes an emotional and psychological toll as well. And it’s not unusual for some to just get fed up with all of it.

Joe has been living with type 1 diabetes for over 50 years. He grew up in New York but now lives in California. He is a registered nurse, diabetes educator and family therapist and works extensively with both patients and professionals on the "Family-Approach to Diabetes Management" and dealing with psychosocial issues that come from living with type 1 diabetes.

You can read & watch more of Joe here:

Diabetes and Depression

2015 Thriveabetes on TV3's IrelandAM

 

Technology & Treatments other than insulin Dr. Kevin Moore

More and more doctors are prescribing medication, in addition to insulin, to manage insulin dependent diabetes. In this session, we will discuss the technology and what other medications might be available to help make life with diabetes easier.

Kevin Moore is a Consultant endocrinologist in Tallaght Hospital, Naas General Hospital and the Beacon Hospital. Kevin has been making occasional guest appearances at the Type 1 Diabetes Support group meetings in Dublin for a number of years.

He works tirelessly to improve the life of patients with diabetes and those with chronic endocrine disorders. Dr. Moore is a strong advocate for healthy lifestyle with chronic conditions. He has undertaken a number of activities with patients, including climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, participating in triathlons and 5-10Km runs. He regularly gives voluntary patient education talks throughout Ireland, including at the Type 1 diabetes support group for adults in Dublin.

 

Type 1 diabetes; Managing Blood Glucose and Exercise Dr. Alistair Lumb

Fear of hypos is one of the biggest reasons that people with type 1 diabetes avoid exercise, even though we know that it really helps with glucose management.

Dr. Lumb has worked with the OneTouch Sports Weekend (formerly known as the Animas Sports Weekend) since it began. He is a Consultant in Diabetes and Acute General Medicine at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Through his career he has been interested in the management of Type 1 diabetes for sport and exercise and has worked with athletes in nationally recognised clinics in the area. He is particularly interested in how technology can be helpful in this arena. His other professional interests include inpatient diabetes care, antenatal diabetes, cystic fibrosis related diabetes, and integrated diabetes care. Outside of work he is a keen cyclist.

 

Living with Diabetes; Kate’s Top 10 Tips Kate Gajewska

Kate has been living with type 1 diabetes for over 30 years. She is a diabetes educator, psychologist, and currently a Doctorate candidate at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. She is conducting a study looking at the access to insulin pump therapy in Ireland. Prior to that, she worked as a research data manager in Diabetes Centre of Our Lady's Children’s Hospital in Crumlin, Dublin.

She is a member of Diabetes Ireland, the Adult Type 1 Diabetes Support Group in Dublin, and a member of the International Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes. She engages in a lot of initiatives aiming to improve the quality of life of people with type 1 diabetes, she is also a proud Thriveabetes supporter. Follow Kate on Twitter @gajewska_kate

 

HSE Diabetes Services Update Seán Dinneen, National Diabetes Programme

The National Diabetes Programme acts as an advisory committee to the National Programme for Diabetes and also provides national advice on diabetes management. Since it began, they have published and implemented;

During this presentation, Prof Dinneen will update us on what’s next. In 2016, Prof Seán Dinneen; Consultant Endocrinologist, UHG, was appointed as National Lead for the Diabetes Clinical Programme of the Irish Health Service Executive. His professional interests include developing and evaluating programmes of self-management education for people with diabetes, developing optimal models of community-based diabetes care and understanding the diabetic foot. He was part of successful bids which brought a School of Podiatry and a Clinical Research Facility to NUI Galway. As you can gather we have a a very full day in store packed with lots of information for adults with type 1 diabetes at Thriveabetes.

 

Please note that if you have type 1.5 (LADA) or if you are an adult with type 2 diabetes on intensive insulin therapy, you are very welcome to join us at Thriveabetes also.

Register here. Thriveabetes takes place on Saturday 24th February 2018 in Dublin

Thriveabetes 2018 Registration Now Open

It's finally here! I don't know whether to take a deep breath or to release the relief that we are getting there. Registration link is below. The team and I would like to say that we are really proud of the programme we have put together this year. We feel that you will be pleased and we have taken on board all the feedback we received from you over the years.

Thriveabetes is a conference organised completely by people with type 1 diabetes and focuses on the psychological impact of living with a chronic, lifelong condition. We aim to provide “Inspiration, Motivation and Information” to all people living with type 1 diabetes (adults, parents & children over age 5 years). It's going to be a great day:-D

Saturday, February 24th 2018 The Red Cow Hotel, Naas Road, Dublin.

The first thing you will notice is that our Registration fee has increased significantly. Thriveabetes 2016 didn't break even financially. We did have some funds left over from 2015 to cover the shortfall. This years registration fee reflects this but does cover a hot lunch and refreshments valued at €25.

 

Additional Conference Information;