Mini Thriveabetes Speakers
The Thriveabetes Team is thrilled to share our speaker and panellist line-up for our Mini Thriveabetes event taking place on Saturday, 27 September 2025, in Ennis, Co. Clare.
Keynote Speaker
Dr Mark Davies
Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Mark graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 1998 with a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Prior to this, he worked as a Research Psychologist at St George’s Hospital Medical School, University of London. Since June 2000, he has worked at Belfast City Hospital, where he provides a clinical psychology service to people diagnosed with diabetes. He is involved in research projects exploring diabetes and the menopause, how best to support young people to manage diabetes and the use of new technologies in diabetes care. He has published widely and provides supervision and training to a range of healthcare professionals both locally and nationally. He is particularly interested in person-centred practice and is an active member of the Diabetes Self-Management Alliance and the Knuston Ireland faculty, which runs an empowerment and counselling skills training course each year for diabetes healthcare professionals across Ireland.
Diabetes Lived Experience Panel
Lived Experience Panel Facilitator: Erin Dolan, Diabetes Health Coach
Erin is a certified health coach, speaker, world traveller, and type 1 diabetes advocate with over 33 years of lived experience. Her mission is to empower and uplift others on their diabetes journey through talks, workshops, and programmes rooted in mindfulness and emotional balance. As the creator of Crazy About Diabetes, she helps people improve their relationship with food, support their mental health, and prevent diabetes burnout. Connect with Erin on Instagram and Facebook @crazyaboutdiabetes
Lived Experience Panellists
Tim Gilmore, Roscommon, diagnosed at age 8, 29 years ago.
Diagnosed with T1D at eight, with no family history, the learning curve was steep for all of us. Like any child, I tested limits by playing sports, taking risks often without fully understanding my condition. Over 29 years, diabetes has been my greatest challenge and my defining strength, shaping the man I am today. Acceptance came slowly, but speaking openly about my journey transformed my life. It helped me excel in sport and my career. Educating those around me has been empowering, turning my condition from a private struggle into a shared understanding that fuels connection and resilience. Tim now works as a Risk and Assurance Manager. Connect with Tim on Instagram @Tim_type1d
Cameron Keighron, Galway, diagnosed at age 16.
Cameron was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 16. Moving away from home for college presented a number of challenges with managing their diabetes care. They got involved with a programme called D1 Now in 2014 because they wanted to help improve the care and support young adults with diabetes received, recognising that managing diabetes care is tough and sometimes overwhelming. They are passionate about including the voices of young adults in diabetes research, understanding that in order to instil change, those with real lived experience but be at the forefront of the conversation.
Jean Langford, Limerick, diagnosed at age 11, 30 years ago.
Jean Langford is Head of Program at #dedoc°, an international diabetes advocacy support organisation. A graduate of International Business Studies, Jean is deeply involved in diabetes advocacy and volunteering, contributing to the Midwest Diabetes Advocacy Group, IDF Europe and Diabetes Scotland. She enhances her advocacy by sharing insights at medical conferences and through social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Connect with Jean on Instagram and Facebook at @the_dia_being_mindset
Ashling O'Kelly, Limerick, diagnosed at age 42, 7 years ago.
Ashling O’Kelly, from Limerick, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 42, seven years ago, after initially being misdiagnosed with type 2 due to her age. She works in finance and is passionate about improving diabetes care in Ireland. Ashling has spoken out about the urgent need for a national diabetes register and her disappointment with the unequal standard of care across Ireland.
Paula Short's son was diagnosed at age 7, 12 years ago.
Paula is a psychotherapist living in Galway. Paula's son was diagnosed at age 7 in 2013. She has many years of experience with the profound psychological impact of living with diabetes and sees the importance of psychological support in navigating the changes to all in the family. Connect with Paula through her website: www.paulashort.net
Aoife Willis, Limerick, diagnosed at age 20, 12 years ago.
I’m a Limerick lady, passionate about rowing, running and the occasional musical. I've spent over a decade navigating life, living as a Type 1 Diabetic. My biggest passion is for rowing. After diagnosis, being able to get back to training and competing was at the top of my mind and my biggest priority. It’s something I’m incredibly proud of being able to say I have since won an Irish Rowing Championship and continue to compete and coach. I believe Type 1s can do almost anything, once provided with the right support, access to knowledge, services and technology. Connect with Aoife on Instagram @aoife__willis