There is no such thing as a good disease. Many like diabetes, cancer, Parkinsons, cystic fibrosis and heart disease are more than life altering for the patient. They affect the entire family and too often reduce life expectancy.
While research has resulted in dramatic developments in dealing with these diseases, the opportunity to network for patients has been therapeutic, as well as a marvelous way to communicate the advancements in treatments. Such was the case on Sunday, January 28, for the TypeOneNation Summit at the Gaylord Resort, where hundreds of experts, families and patients including the JDRF Youth Ambassadors came together to exchange information about type 1 diabetes. Here’s a report from the field:
More than 500 people impacted by type 1 diabetes (T1D) attended the annual TypeOneNation Summit Sunday, January 28, at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, to learn how to better care for themselves or that special person, who struggles with the difficulty of managing diabetes. The Greater Dallas Chapter of JDRF, the leading global organization focused on T1D research, assembled a top-notch team of medical experts, diabetes educators, and inspirational speakers, who themselves struggle with diabetes, to teach and better educate anyone who interacts with and/or cares for an insulin-dependent diabetic person.
JDRF International Board of Directors member Kim Roosevelt presented the Mission Message and gave some of the latest and most exciting updates regarding JDRF research. Keynote speaker, Nicole Johnson, the first Miss America with T1D and former motivational speaker, spoke about how to spread a message of hope versus fear through the power of social media, advocacy, and storytelling. Following her keynote address, the event divided into breakout sessions where attendees could choose to listen to different panels speak on various topics, such as going to college with T1D, exercising with T1D and more.
The first round of breakout sessions included a social media panel led by moderator Rob Howe and focused on the impact getting involved in the T1D online community has had on their lives, sharing their favorite stories of hope and encouragement and answering questions. Other sessions during this round included instructions on how to care for a child with T1D when away from their primary caregivers, technology updates in diabetes and understanding various insulin therapies and how they match to your eating style for optimal blood glucose control.
During the second round of breakout sessions, Nicole discussed how to identify the diabetes challenges in life and how to resolve conflict and manage stress associated with T1D. The session also featured an “Ask the Endo” panel led by Children’s Health Dr. Soumya Adhikari and featured a collection of expert endocrinologists in the greater DFW area who discussed the latest perspectives and protocols on managing T1D. In addition, Myabetic Founder Kyrra Richards opened up about her life with diabetes, including a dramatic diagnosis, body image, insecurities, dating, wedding events, pregnancy and learning how to define diabetes with personal style. Kim spoke again during this round and discussed the latest and most exciting updates in the JDRF advocacy world and the changes in the healthcare policy world and how it affects those with T1D.
The third and final round of breakout sessions included an “Off to College” panel led by Dr. Susan Hsieh and discussed how to prepare students with T1D for life at college. The round also included a discussion of fitness with T1D, led by diabetic health coach Lauren Bongiorno and a panel of athletes.
During this round, Soumya reviewed the principles and data behind the newest hybrid- closed loop pump from Medtronic. A discussion of 504 plans rounded out the day and addressed what should be expected from the school, nurse, student and the parent in the school setting.
* Photo credit: Willie Baronet