I Attended #FFLOrlando19 As Ascensia Diabetes Care's Guest Reporter

I adore childrenwithdiabetes.com and their yearly FFL 
(Friends For Life,) Conference -held every July in Orlando. 
It's truly life changing and I highly recommend attending!
For the record: It's not just for children with diabetes! 

I've attended the conference since 2012 and worked as a conference volunteer starting in 2013 and up until now. 

This year I was able to attend the 20th anniversary of FFL (known on Social Media Platforms as #FFLOrlando19,) as the Guest Reporter for Ascensia Diabetes Care. 

I was able to participate in the sessions as an attendee and report from FFL with a fresh set of eyes. 

My first in a series of three articles spotlighting FFL is up and running on the Ascensia website. 
Click HERE and check it out. 
Also: Thanks in advance! 

Disclosure: Ascensia Diabetes Care paid for my time and talent and  also covered my flight, hotel, and expenses. 
As always, all thoughts are mine and mine alone. 

Batteries Need Charging - Headed out to #CWDFFL2017

So it's been a while since I've posted and I apologize. 
It's been a little crazy on this end and honestly, I've been burned out as of late - like crazy burned out - my preverbal well is dry and my batteries need recharging - and I can cop to it. 
Which is why I'm incredibly grateful to be flying out this morning to attend The 2017 Children With Diabetes, Friends for Life Conference in Orlando, Florida. 
I can't wait to get my green bracelet on, (literally and figuratively,) and spend 5 days with friends who are indeed family. 
Working and attending amazing sessions, running the #IwishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes booth, and spending time with people who "get it!"
Also, did I mention that all the cwdffl meals have carb counts listed?

follow the #cwdffl2017 hashtag and I promise to post from the Orlando! 
If you're attending - I can't wait to give you a hug! 

American Girl Diabetes Care Kit Review & Giveaway

Very cool and incredibly detailed, American Girl Diabetes Care Kit~

Two years ago, the then 11 year old Anje Busse created a Change.Org petition asking American Girl to create a line of Diabetes accessories for their dolls. And that's exactly what American Girl did~
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Like everyone else in the DOC, I was thrilled when I heard the news that American Girl had created and was launching the American Girl Diabetes Care Kit for their line of “Truly Me” Dolls.  
I reached out to AG and they were kind enough to send me my very own American Girl Diabetes Care Kit. 

My very own American Girl Diabetes Care Kit~

The kit comes fully loaded with diabetes accessories and I am so incredibly impressed with the details and thought that went into creating the diabetes accessories.
The logbook has a stitched back binder, the insulin pump has a clip and arrow keys, and from the BG number on the pump’s screen, I've come to the conclusion that it also has CGM capabilities.   
The tube of glucose tabs look just like the tubes of glucose tabs I keep in my car and my gym bag. 
The medical ID bracelet is pretty and perfect for a young doll with Type 1 diabetes. Sidebar: I believe that an American Girl Doll who wears a medical ID bracelet will encourage the little girl who loves her, to wear their own medical ID bracelet/ necklace. 

And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that American Girl included an insulin pen in their Diabetes Care Kit because just like real life, your diabetes may vary and not every little girl wears an insulin pump. 
The kit’s meter has a test strip already inserted, the number on the screen matches the number on the insulin pump, and a lancing device. 
All the diabetes accessories fit nicely into the kit’s carrying case, which has a working zipper and ID Card all ready for you and your doll to fill out. FYI: when I spilled water, I discovered the kit’s bag was water resistant.
And now for more awesomeness: The folks at American Girl have generously agreed to Diabetesaliciousness American Girl Diabetes Care Kit, giveaway. 

How to win: leave a comment on the blog stating why you’d like to win an American Girl Diabetes Care Kit  - the winner will be announced on Friday afternoon and will be chosen by Random.org. 

Who can win: Anyone with diabetes no matter the age, or who has a child/loves a child with diabetes. 

Also, if you're a T1 parent/auntie/uncle, godparent with diabetes, I think that the American GirlDiabetes  Care Kit is an excellent teaching tool for the children in your life to learn about living with diabetes! 

**Please make sure you your blogger ID contain your email address, or leave your email address in your comment. If I can't contact you, or if I don't hear from you by Midnight on Monday, January 25th, I will be forced to choose a new winner. 

American Girl Diabetes Care Kit costs $24, comes with a blood sugar monitor, lancing device, insulin pump, insulin pen, medical bracelet, glucose tablets, log book, I.D. card, stickers, and a carrying case. 

The kit is available at americangirl.com, at all American Girl retail locations, or by calling 1-800-845-0005. 

Giveaway: Lilly Diabetes/Disney Type 1 Diabetes Book Shelf & L.L.Bean® Backpacks!

A bounty of Lilly/Disney books & and a L.L. Bean® backback to boot! 
Lilly Diabetes sent me a boatload of chartreuse (one of my favorite colors,) L.L.Bean® packpacks that were specially designed by the  over at Lilly Diabetes and L.L.Bean®. 

Each backpack comes with a customized Emergency Contact tag sewn inside. 

 I’ve photoshopped my name/info on the tags :) 
Not only do you get the backpacks come with the special tags sewn in & ready for you to fill out, they are filled with the entire LillyDisney Type 1 Diabetes Bookshelf!  
Keep in mind that books aren’t available for purchase so it’s a big deal. 

Detailed descriptions of the books can be found here: http://www.t1everydaymagic.com/lilly-and-disneys-type-1-diabetes-bookshelf/
For the record: I've read everyone of these books and they're wonderful & I wish they'd been around when I was growing up with type 1!

On Monday, January 26th, I’ll pick 8 winners and share the remaining 4 backpacks with local children with diabetes in my area, including two who were diagnosed in December. 

How to enter: EASY. Leave a comment stating why you’d like to win the Lilly/Disney book  L.L.Bean® filled packpacks and I’ll announce the winners on Monday morning.

**VERY IMPORTANT: In order to win, I must be able to contact you - If your blogger profile doesn’t have a current email address, add one ASAP. 

*This contest is for U.S. residents only. 
All winners chosen by Random.org

**

Good luck and check back on Monday to see if you’ve won! 

** For those who don't win the bookracks, the books are available at most pediatric endocrinologist offices & in digital format at:

http://www.t1everydaymagic.com/lilly-and-disneys-type-1-diabetes-bookshelf/

** If you are one of the winners, PLEASE don't use a box cutter/or any other tool when opening your prize, you might rip the backpack - And nobody wants that~ 

CHECK IT OUT: Jerry The Bear Has His Own Indiegogo Campaign!

I've been a fan of Jerry the Bear for quite sometime. For those of you who don't know Jerry, he totally rocks. Jerry's an interactive BWD (bear with diabetes) who does everything children and adults do with t1 diabetes. He tests his blood sugars, takes insulin from pens, counts carbs. Jerry's teaches children about diabetes through play and by always being there  - And that's amazing in all dimensions as far as I'm concerned! 
Jerry and I have become friends and last year I had the opportunity to interview him for Diabetesaliciousness! 
Today's the kickoff for Jerry's Indiegogo campaign to raise funds to get all the 12,000 plus children diagnosed with type 1 every year their own Jerry the bear. 

The link for the campaign is: igg.me/at/jerrythebear

There's even a referral program for families to sign up to be among the first to get a bear. YES, I'M TALKING TO YOU! 

All you need to do is:

1. Create an Indiegogo account.

2. Use the share buttons below the video to share your referral link with your social network!

3. If 10 people contribute to the campaign using your referral link, you will be among the first to receive Jerry the Bear.

Friends are important in life - So are friends with diabetes - And a friend with diabetes who's with you 24X7 is priceless!

Here's a video so you can watch Jerry's awesomeness in motion!

         

#AwkwardDPromPic

I just walked in the door from Friends For Life & 
there's a million emotions, memories and faces swimming through my head and 

a suitcase filled with dirty clothes at my feet - I kid you not.

I need to sit down, gather my thoughts & marinate on the awesomeness in all 
dimensions that I've experienced this past week so that I can actually articulate my thoughts.  

And yes, I need to do laundry.   
But at this moment my blood sugar is 90, it's almost 4pm and I haven't eaten lunch yet.

I need to eat. 

So while I'm doing all of the above, here's a picture of Mike Lawson & yours truly from the conference that was taken @ Tandem Diabetes Casino Night For adult PWDs last Wednesday night. 

Mike & I decided to go all #awkwardDprompic with our photo because that's how we roll!
Also: This photo makes me smile.  'I love to smile - Smiling's my favorite!'
And so is CWD!!!

#awkwardDPromPic
This picture makes me laugh out loud & from my belly every time
I see it!

An Interview With Jerry The Bear

Recently I had the opportunity to interview Jerry The Bear, a precocious bear with diabetes, who tests his own blood sugars, takes insulin shots from a pen, counts carbs & and helps children with diabetes become empowered and own their diabetes.
I'm all about D education, D buddies, not feeling alone and empowering others, including kiddles, when it comes to people with diabetes owning their diabetes!
Sidebar: How cool would it be to see a Gerry The Bear in every Peds Endo waiting room!
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Jerry is an interactive BWD (bear with diabetes) who helps children with diabetes navigate life with diabetes.
www.JerryTheBear.com

**Jerry is currently 4 years old

1. Jerry, how old were you when you diagnosed with diabetes?

I was diagnosed at 2 years old! My parents were worried because I was tired all the time and drinking a lot of water. It was scary when the doctor first told me that I had diabetes, but now it’s just a part of each day!

2. What's with those cool looking special sensors on your paws & What exactly do they do?

My paws are just like your hands! You check your blood glucose levels by your fingertips; I use my paw tips! If you press the sensors in any of my paws, you can see what my blood sugar level is - whether I’m normal, high, or low. I make sure I rotate my fingertips. Also, when you’re reading a story, you can squeeze my hand to turn the pages.

3. There's a lot to learn when it comes to living with type 1 diabetes, and rumor has it that you're a really good type 1 diabetes teacher/pal with lots of cool D teaching tools.  Care to elaborate?

Ever since I was diagnosed with diabetes, I’ve wanted to help out other friends who have t1d! I check my bg level, take shots of insulin, and count carbs just like any kid with t1d does, and I want to make sure that other kids don’t feel alone and can learn with me. Since I’m an All Star champion (it’s like the mini Olympics in my hometown), I tell my friends how I managed my diabetes during training!

4. Sometimes children (and grownups for that matter ) are afraid of needles - I know that when I was first diagnosed with diabetes, I was scared to death to give myself a shot.  Any advice on that subject?

Needles can be scary--I know I was scared at first! But then my nurse educator, Ms. Berry, told me how important it was for me to take my insulin. I knew that if I wanted to train for the Olympics, I would have to be very healthy. After a while, I was so used to taking insulin that I didn’t even notice them!

5. What's your favorite "bolus worthy" foods? For the record, I love cupcakes, fruit and nachos, but not together ;)

I love strawberry shortcake because strawberries are one of my favorite fruits!

6. Sometimes children feel like their diabetes is their fault, which totally isn't true. Do you ever have those feelings?

I can totally understand some children feeling that way. I didn’t feel that way since I was too young to understand Diabetes.

7. How is your sister Isabella doing re: your diabetes. I have no doubt she worries about you and tries to help out anyway she can. Siblings of CWDs & PWDs (Children With Diabetes & People with Diabetes) are awesome!

My little sister Isabella is my hero. She doesn’t have diabetes but she learned about T1D with me while I train with my mom and my educator. When I’m feeling low, my sister gets me a juicebox or lets my mom know.

8. What's next for you and your pals?

I love listening to inspiring stories. I want to meet other folks with T1D and get to know them better! I always want to help!

9. If someone wanted to buy a Jerry The Bear, how would they go about doing that?

Oh, I would love a new best friend! If anyone out there wants to take me home, they can visit www.jerrythebear.com. At the bottom, there is a button that says “Buy Jerry!” Just press that, and I’m yours!

10. Jerry, thanks so much for the interview - Anything else you'd like to share with my diabetesaliciousness readers?

As an All Star champion, I want to let all the kids out there know that having type 1 diabetes will never stop me from doing anything or from dreaming big--and it shouldn’t stop you either.

Diabetes Fact: We Are ALL Diabetes Sheroes & Heroes

I’ve written on the subject of Diabetes Super Sheroes & Heroes several times in the past, but the other day a friend and I were chatting and the subject came up again. And then I started writing a post on the subject, and then I lost said post because my work computer crashed and I was really pissed, especially after dealing with software support for 2 hours yesterday. But I’m Diabetes Super Shero, damn it!  So you can bet your sweet a$$ I wrote it all over again!   

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Diabetes Fact: EVERY single person living with diabetes or caring/loving someone with diabetes is a Diabetes Super Hero/ Shero! 

And we are strong and tenacious with hearts of gold and fingertips of steal. 

We are our own League of Extraordinary People With Diabetes & the Diabetes Justice League all rolled into one. 

We Diabetes Sheroes and Heroes come in all shapes and sizes - And WE ROCK. 

We battle high/low blood sugar issues daily, but not always in a single bound. 

We D Sheroes and Heroes continually bust diabetes myths & stereotypes while spreading diabetes validation 24 X 7, 365 days and without a day off t recharge our diabetes Mojo. 

And our Diabetes Super Powers Are Many: We can calculate the carbs on our plate without skipping a beat in the conversation we’re currently having.

 We can figure our how to adjust our insulin so that we can workout without going low & are Diabetes Savants when it comes to dividing by 15 or 12. 

We are masters of high tech communication skillz, be it in online forms of blogs, emails, Social Media, the twitter, Facebook, and Diabetes Communities, or communication devices that attache to our bodies, and take on the forms of;  insulin pumps, CGMs & glucose meters.

We  shoot up/ bolus/ test our blood sugars all types of stealth like and without out the public knowing. 

NEWS FLASH: Some Diabetes Heroes are classified as honest to goodness Ninjabetic - True story. 

As Diabetes Super Sheroes/ Heroes we have our villains and they come in many forms, including but not limited to; ignorance, media muck-ups snake oil salesman, miracle cures, high and low blood sugars, diabetes complications, insurance issues, know it alls and everything else in between.

 But we D Sheroes and Heroes are resilient and strong and we make it our business to educate and succeed despite our faulty pancreati or batshit crazy metabolisms.

Side Bar: The only thing that we Diabetes Heroes with Type 1 can’t do is make insulin - Everything else is game on. 

Many of us living the diabetes life have worn our Dcapes so long that you might think that they’d get tattered and torn, but that’s not the case. 

Like our lives, no matter how many times our capes have been tossed through the diabetes wringer, they come out the side stronger and wiser,

Others capes are brand spanking new but once put on, they feel like they’ve been worn forever. 

Some Diabetes Super Heroes & Sheroes are part cyborg and wear a utility belt with insulin pumps and cgms, while other D Super Heroes rock the MDIs (multiple Daily Injections) anytime, anyplace and anywhere. 

Some Diabetes Heroes/Sheroes with T2 rock the oral meds. 

And those 1.5 Diabetes Sheroes & Heroes work hard to educate the public that they exist and are real - As are their D Super Powers. 

Some Diabetes Heroes/Sheroes are canine - And can sniff out a low blood sugar before you can say: What the fructose! 

But regardless of the many types of Diabetes, type 1,  type 1.5, type 2, Type Awesome, (this means you Dmama’s, D Papa’s, D spouses/partners & D Siblings ----> 3D Type Triple Threat  and in all dimensions) we are all Diabetes Super Sheroes Heroes in my book, 

So wear your well deserved DCapes proudly & fly high - Because each of us living with diabetes has more  than earned the right to wear them! 

Children With Diabetes Friends For Life 2012: I CAN'T WAIT.

This pic was taken on the road from CWD Focus On Technology - The next Green Bracelet shot will be taken
AT CWD FFL 2012!!! 

So a few years back I wrote about how Orlando Airport was the loneliest place on earth after spending just one day at Children With Diabetes Friends For Life Conference and how having to leave made me burst into tears at the airport.

My  Friends For Life green bracelet became my talisman, my touchstone and my holy grail all rolled into one and I vowed that I would go back and attend the conference full force and sooner rather than later. 

But things with life since my initial FFL post have gotten hectic and crazy - both for the better and the not so. These past 9 months have brought so much change that my head is continually spinning. Good things have happened work wise, but losing my mom, selling her home and dealing with her estate -  and all that comes with it, was and is a very tough thing. 

BOTTOM LINE: I needed a vacation, BIG TIME.  

So what did this grown up girl with a busted pancreas do? 

She registered for the 2012 Children with Diabetes Friends For Life Conference  that's what she did - And yours truly leaves on Monday afternoon! 

And I'm so excited to see old friends and meet new ones, and just have a blast!

I'm going home again - And that means the world to me, especially this time around. 

I'm also a little nervous in #abutterfliesinmystomach type of way and I'm not really sure why. 

Maybe it's because I've been wanting to do this for quite sometime and I'm finally doing it. Or maybe it's because it's the first time in a very long time that I'm going vacation all 'Han Solo' like. 

Seriously, the last time I went on vacation by myself it was to Eastern European country and that didn't turn out so well. 

But I'm old enough to realize that butterflies in the belly this time around  ='s  a very good thing so I'm rolling with it! 

And I won't really be alone - I'll be with my friends both old and new and I CAN'T WAIT.

I'll be blogging from the conference and posting pics and I'll wear my green bracelet with pride. And instead of wearing it for just one day, or for 24 hours like I did At the CWD Focus on Technology Conference in February, I'll get to wear my talisman, touchstone and holy grail for almost a week - Along with countless others who speak the language of diabetes without ever having utter the D word - And that my friends is a wonderful thing! 

My Weekend Plans: The Children With Diabetes Focus On Technology Conference

February 25 & 26,2012

Philadelphia Marriott West

West Conshohocken, PA

I'm heading out to Children With Diabetes Focus On Technology 2012 Conference in Conchohocken, PA this weekend and I'm looking forward to it. Actually, I'm downright excited to attend the conference for many reasons.

Even though I only attend one day of The Children With Diabetes Friends For Life Conference in 2010, I can tell you that it changed my life for the better. CWDFFL was like coming home to Diabetes Land. People who live with diabetes (or whose children, siblings or spouses live with diabetes) are the majority, not the minority. And everyone understands and speaks the language of diabetes, fluently and in all its dialects.

It's a fantastical thing to walk around and learn about diabetes with others who know first hand what your going through. Plus, you also learn the parents perspective, which was incredibly eyeopening to me as former child with diabetes. Same goes for me being a sister, daughter and aunt of someone with diabetes - And a diabetes blogger.

The Program of Events for the 2012 Tech Conference includes all types of interesting/timely topics including but not limited to: CGMS & New Technology talks, advanced pumping concepts, managing technology in school, managing diabetes stress & burnout (YES), making sense of data sensors , sports exercise & bg control, managing hypos, infusion set and sensors, a group workout, discussion group for parents of teens, etc.

I know that I'll see some of you there and I can't wait! And for those of you who won't be attending, I'll give you the 4-1-1 when I return.

Have a great weekend guys!

Talking With Jeff Hitchcock Of ChildrenwithDiabetes

I first met Children With Diabetes website founder, Jeff Hitchcock at the first annual Roche/Diabetes Media Summit in 2009. Right off the bat, I could tell he was a smart guy - He knew his diabetes technology, etc.

This past summer at second Roche/Diabetes Social Media Summit, I had the opportunity to see Jeff in his element, running The Children With Diabetes Friends For Life Conference in Orlando, Florida and I learned that not only was he was a smart guy, but he also had a big heart.

Jeff was more than busy overseeing CWD, but he took it all in stride, and never hesitated to stop what he was doing to talk with CWD families. I watched him as he had conversations with CWDs of all shapes in sizes and I was amazed that he seemed to know all the kids by name - and I'm talking hundreds of children!

He asked them about life and school and what was new in their worlds & called them by name as he passed them in the hall. And I have to say, that’s what really impressed me about him.

Last month I interviewed Jeff via email about CWD, and I hope you like it!

FULL DISCLOSURE: I drank the CWD Kool-aid this past summer and became a convert. Seriously, I can’t wait to go back to Diabetes Land!

CWD founder & President, Jeff Hitchcock at the 2009 CWD Friends for Life UK conference.

What are the three main reasons that you started CWD way back when, in 1995?

I’m not sure there were three reasons. I had been interested in starting a diabetes support web site since I first got access to the web in the fall of 1994. I found myself laid off in June 1995 and that seemed a good day to launch CWD, which is exactly what I did. Initially, the site had a page about my daughter Marissa and a couple of other pages, but I don’t recall exactly what. I hoped that Marissa would meet other kids through her page, and that my wife Brenda and I could share our experiences with other parents.

Did you ever think that CWD would become what it has?

No, I certainly had no idea that CWD would grow to become what it is today. I really had no plan other than to create a web site and learn about the web.

I know that CWD was purchased by Johnson & Johnson in 2008. How has becoming part of J & J changed CWD? What would you like to tell people who might worry about Pharma’s influence on CWD?

The key reason to accept J&J’s acquisition offer was to enable CWD to grow, both online and at our conferences. We had plans to expand our staff, rebuild our web infrastructure to take advantage of the new and evolving social networking tools, and reach families living in Canada and the UK through new conferences there. We succeeded in bringing the Friends for Life experience to Canada and the UK. We’re still working on the web part.

To answer your second question, the many companies involved in type 1 diabetes make it possible for CWD to exist. This has always been the case. Without online advertising and conference sponsorships, Children with Diabetes would not be here. As for influence, I have always let the science guide me. For example, CWD is a big proponent of insulin pumps. Why? Because the science shows clear metabolic and psychosocial benefits.

Some might say, “But you’re part of an organization that sells insulin pumps. Of course you support pumps!” But they would be wrong. We support pumps because of the science. The same goes for insulin analogs, frequent glucose monitoring, and continuous sensors. We let the science guide us. And while we promote therapies, we are agnostic about brands – for example, we support pump therapy, but not a particular pump brand.

You’re responsible for creating an event/org that’s given thousands of children & their families the opportunity to experience what life is like in “Diabetes Land.” And from what I’ve read & seen first-hand, sometimes it’s the first time many of the families in attendance have ever met others who live with diabetes 24 X7. I’ve been told that life long bonds and friendships are formed at CWD. What’s it been like to watch these families and their children come together with others year after year?

The friendships that have come from our conferences, especially our annual Friends for Life conferences, have been truly amazing. I think what surprised me the most was seeing kids with type 1 who had never met becoming such intense friends almost immediately. These kids (as well as adults) share something – life with type 1 – that transcends distance and age in a way that I never fully appreciated.

Many CWD kids and adults are closer to their CWD buddies than they are with their best friends at home. It was completely unexpected, and is completely wonderful.

What’s it like to watch a new family experience CWD for the first time? Is there a metamorphosis of sorts?

There are two ways to experience CWD: online and a conference. Most people experience CWD first online. Typically, their child has just been diagnosed. They’ve learned about insulin, injections, and glucose monitoring but are still in shock.

They find in CWD the comforting voices of moms and dads who’ve been there and can help guide them in their journey from the shock of diagnosis to the confidence required to care for a child with diabetes.

We see a similar evolution at our conferences. On their first day, families new to Friends for Life, for example, can feel overwhelmed at the sheer size of the event. By the end of the conference, these new families have changed – they’re easily navigating sessions and the exhibit hall and the social events. Many families return the next year, and by the third year, these families have the confidence to become volunteers at the conference, helping new families. It’s an amazing experience.

I worry that some CWDs aren’t actively participating in their disease because of their parents’ fears. As a former CWD, who grew up with two type 1 siblings and who lost a sister to type 1 at an early age, I understand parental fears because I saw how diabetes affected my parents first hand. But I'm concerned that if children aren’t given the opportunity to actively work with & participate with their parents as a team re: their diabetes, growing up and transitioning into independent adults living successful lives with type 1 will be extremely difficult.

Owning your diabetes is hard enough, but when you've never been allowed to actually take part in your diabetes - it can become a huge obstacle!

What are your thoughts?

And as a parent of a former CWD who is now living as an adult type 1, what advice would you feel comfortable sharing with other parents on that subject?

As a parent, our primary goal for our children is to shepherd them safely into adulthood. For us parents of kids with type 1, we have an additional responsibility – to help our children to become healthy adults living with type 1. As such, we have an obligation to involve our kids in their care to the extent possible. The level of involvement varies by age (chronological and emotional), but in the end, it’s our kids who have diabetes, not us parents, and their success as an adult with type 1 hinges in large part on how well we transition responsibility to them as they mature.

So I’m in complete agreement with you. With that said, there is no single way to achieve this goal. Different families will find their own way. At CWD, we work very hard with each all of our kids, from pre-school to college, to teach them best practices and to provide an environment in which they can find great education and emotional support to help them on their journey.

Does CWD offer scholarships for families to attend, and if so how would a family go about applying for a CWD scholarship?

The Diabetes Scholars Foundation (www.diabetesscholars.org) provides scholarships for families and adults with type 1 to attend CWD conferences. They also fund college scholarships for young people with type 1 diabetes.

Jeff, I know that in 2010, there’s been a lot of discussion about bringing more adults with type 1 into the Children With Diabetes Friends For Life 2011 Florida Conference, and I’m all for that! I think I know that answer, but I'm going to ask anyway! What’s your reasoning behind opening up CWDFFL to adults with type 1 and what can adults with type 1 expect from CWDFFL in 2011, both at your national & international conferences?

When I started CWD, my daughter Marissa was eight years old. She is now 23, living in Florida and working as a nurse. From a very personal perspective, I’m interested in making a difference for adults with type 1, since my “child” with diabetes is now an adult. Also, and equally important, as Friends for Life has grown, more and more adults with type 1 have come. We have to ensure that the programming at Friends for Life meets the needs of everyone who attends, and that includes adults with type 1.

Besides the fact that CWD is adding more adult type 1 related activities, what else will 2011 hold for CWDFFL ?

In addition to the new programming for adults with type 1, new for 2011 will be a teen driving clinic, which will offer CWD teen drivers advanced accident avoidance training to help reduce their risk of crashing. Teens already have a higher risk of accidents than older drivers, and people with type 1 diabetes who have tight control (A1c under 6.9) also have a higher risk for accidents. The teen driving clinic has been shown to reduce accident rates among its graduates by over 70%, which will help our CWD teens learn to drive better and safer – and to understand why it’s so important to check their blood sugar every time they get behind the wheel.

Anything else that you consider “diabetesalcious” that you’d like to share with us?

Very simply, I consider myself very fortunate to have met so many wonderful people in the world of diabetes. It’s a club we’d all rather not have joined, but once in, it’s nice to have discovered that the members can be quite amazing.

Jeff, thanks for taking the time to answer my questions!