We have moved! Introducing Thriveabetes.ie

After the Thriveabetes Conference in Maynooth, we realised very quickly that our blog format wasn't going to work very well for Thriveabetes going forward, especially if it's to become an annual event.

So here is our blogs new home; www.thriveabetes.ie

Our hope is that from Thriveabetes 2015, we will build on the amazing energy this conference tapped into by running another conference and by working to help connect and invigorate the type 1 community.

Thriveabetes is more than just a conference.  We want to help connect people to the type 1 diabetes community, building a safe and supportive place to gain strength from something that otherwise makes us feel weak.

Our website is a work in progress and will expand over time. We will be adding a Resources page where people will be able to find peer to peer support a little closer to home and lots more.

We hope that you will continue to take this journey with us.

Gráinne.

Thriveabetes! What a day!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I don't know about you but I had the best time in Maynooth, Co. Kildare on Saturday, the 3rd of October 2015. 190 people attended, which was split fairly evenly between adults living with T1 and parents of children with T1. The adults were tipping the balance slightly.

We have been going through all of the emails, messages and the photos that you have sent to us and we (Darling Husband is) are working on putting an album together so that you can all view it.

In the meantime here's a little sample.

We are still feeling the love from you all and I hope that you know we are here for you all year round, not just one day.

More coming soon....

It's here!

Thrive-abetes Tickets

Unfortunately, online ticket sales have ended.

If you didn't get your ticket online there are a very, very, very limited number of tickets still available and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

To avail of this, please present yourself at the Thrive-abetes Registration desk in The Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth by no later than 10am Saturday October 3rd.

All remaining tickets will be priced at €35. Unfortunately, we will only be able to accommodate cash or cheques.

1 Day Away - Thrive-abetes

2 Days to go!!!!

Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate people who want to purchase tickets on the day of the event. Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm, Thursday October 1st.

Register here.

3 Days to Thrive-abetes

Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate people who want to purchase tickets on the day of the event. Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm, Thursday October 1st.

Register here.

4 Days til Thrive-abetes

Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate people who want to purchase tickets on the day of the event. Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm, Thursday October 1st.

Register here.

5 Days to Thrive-abetes

Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate people who want to purchase tickets on the day of the event. Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm, Thursday October 1st.

Register here.

6 days to go!!!

Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate people who want to purchase tickets on the day of the event. Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm, Thursday October 1st.

Register here.

To Parents Thinking About Attending Thrive-abetes…..

When Rebecca Flanagan heard me talk about this mad idea that took shape as Thrive-abetes, she did not hesitate to say "I'm going to help you do this". You might be thinking that this is a common reaction but it isn't. The truth is that after you have taken care of your child with type 1 diabetes you don't have very much left inside of you, to take on anything else. But a few do find that strength from somewhere. I still don't know where they find it but I'm thankful that they do.

Here's what Rebecca sent to me in response to why this conference is for parents of children with type 1 diabetes.

BUT don't pay any heed to her reference to my "vision", I just wanted to get a very large group of people with type 1 diabetes in the one place to hear some bloody great speakers and have a bit of fun! (What is she like?)

"To the parents still ‘on the fence’ about attending Thrive-abetes…..

I am one of the volunteers helping with this conference and I can see Grainne’s amazing vision for what will be achieved, but I am also a parent of a child with Type 1 diabetes. I will also be a delegate at the conference. And I need this conference. My daughter was diagnosed just before her 8th birthday and is now 15. You hear about how hard the teenage years can be, but when you throw in diabetes it is a whole other ball game.

I will admit it: I am struggling. I know that as a parent it is something we don’t want to admit to – never show signs of weakness! Easier said than done, of course, and when diabetes is thrown in, at whatever age your child is, there can be many stages of struggle, weakness and burnout - for the parent and the child.

Clinic visits can be so… clinical. I rarely have been asked, ‘How are YOU doing?’ Whilst the visits are ultimately for the betterment of the child, this can hardly be achieved without the parents being 100% comfortable and made to feel ABLE to take on this disease for their child.

Empowered is a good word. As parents we should feel empowered for our children so that we, in turn, can bestow this on to them when the time comes. I don’t think we will ever get enough of this from clinic visits. It ultimately is not really their job, but where else do we go?

I’ve found where, and am so delighted to be a part of it: Thrive-abetes, Thrive with Type 1 Diabetes Conference. In my time helping my daughter with diabetes, I’ve found that there has been no better encouragement then speaking to other parents. It can be hard to say ‘I’m struggling’ but with parents like us we all GET it! And when it’s spoken about you don’t feel alone.
The conference is an opportunity to connect with other parents just like you. You might be able to help someone who has yet to reach the stage your child has already conquered, or you might find help from someone who has already been there with their child. And the speakers will be the icing on the cake. The presentations on the day will help strengthen our efforts on guiding our children with how to cope with diabetes, not just medically, but emotionally, psychologically and on a developmental level.

With all of this on offer, I’d hope that when asked, ‘How are YOU?’ we can all, after Thrive-abetes, say EMPOWERED!!"

Come Join Us! Register here for Thrive-abetes.

Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate people who want to purchase tickets on the day of the event. Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm, Thursday October 1st.

Announcing Thrive-abetes Exhibitors

We have 12 confirmed exhibitors at the Thrive-abetes; Thrive with Type 1 Diabetes Conference, which takes place on Saturday, October 3rd 2015 in Maynooth, Co. Kildare.

We are truly grateful to all of these companies for coming on board with Thrive-abetes and helping to make it happen.

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Companies Exhibiting are;

Abbott Diabetes Care

- Freestyle Blood Glucose & Ketone Meters

Bayer Diabetes Care

- Contour Meters

Clonmel Healthcare

- TrueResult Blood Glucose Meters

Diabetes Insight

- Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) service 

Diabetes Ireland

- The National charity for people diabetes in Ireland

Diabetic RetinaScreen - The National screening service for people with diabetes.
Glucomen Blood Glucose Meters

Animas & Lifescan
- Insulin Pumps & Continuous Glucose Meters and One Touch Verio Blood Glucose Meters.

Medicon Ireland
- GlucoMen range of blood glucose meters.

Medtronic
- Insulin Pumps & Continuous Glucose Meters

Novo Nordisk

- manufacturer of insulin delivery devices such as the Flexpen and Novafine Needles.

Roche
- Accu-Chek Blood Glucose Metering systems

Ypsommed
- Blood Glucose Meters, Pen Needles & Insulin Pumps

Come Join Us! Register here for Thrive-abetes.

Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate people who want to purchase tickets on the day of the event. 

Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm, Thursday October 1st.

Sponsor Spotlight Series: Ailbhe's Pump Pouches

This is the second instalment of our "Sponsor Spotlight" series, which I hope to continue over the next 3 weeks.

Sponsor Spotlight: Ailbhe's Pump Pouches

Ailbhe's Pump Pouches is run by Mairead Doyle, whose daughter Ailbhe was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Mairead also has a full time job as a nurse.

The range of Insulin Pump Pouches by Ailbhes Pump Pouches are Irish made, high quality, soft fabric pouches designed for children and adults with Type 1 Diabetes on Insulin Pump Therapy.

They come in a variety of soft colourful fabrics which are bright and fun. The pouches feature top acrylic zip closure to ensure the pump is kept securely inside. There are slit openings on either side to feed the insulin tubing through for convenience.

The belt is in matching soft fabric which makes it comfortable to wear both day and night. It is fully adjustable with Velcro closure and is available in a range of sizes.

Wider soft fabric covered elasticated belts are available as thigh belts or as upper arm belts.

1 Euro from every pouch sold on our website goes to the Diabetes Unit of Our Lady's Hospital Crumlin, where Ailbhe is a patient.

Buying an Insulin Pump Pouch from Ailbhe's Pump Pouches is a great way to get a top quality Irish made product, thereby supporting Irish jobs and enterprise, and also to support Diabetes services for our children

You can order Ailbhe's Pump Pouches direct from their website and prices range from €14-€16 plus postage and packaging.

Don't forget to Register here for Thrive-abetes.

Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate people who want to purchase tickets on the day of the event. Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm, Thursday October 1st.

What's in the Future for Type 1 Diabetes?

​In August 2014, I was lucky enough to attend a presentation by Dr. Aaron Kowalski, from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) on what the future holds for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.

This talk was the most EXCITING and positive that I have ever attended in my two decades of living with type 1 diabetes. I came away from it with a solid belief that the next best thing to a cure (either Artificial Pancreas or Beta Cell encapsulation) is only a couple of years away! He gave a similar talk at "that conference" that I keep mentioning over at my Diabetes People blog. Here's is a run down from DiabTribe on his most recent one.

I know, how many times have we heard that the cure is only around the corner? 

I hold in my hand the prototype for the Bionic 
Pancreas, the iLet. So, so close and not so far now.

But it is! Here's proof!! The prototype of Dr. Ed Damiano's Bionic Pancreas, the iLet was revealed at FFL 2015. (See more about that big reveal here.)

It's because of Dr. Kowalski's (I'm sorry, I just can't say his name without thinking of the Penguins of Madagascar. I have children.) talk that we really wanted someone from JDRF to attend Thrive-abetes; Thrive with Type 1 Diabetes Conference.

It happens that we have our own version of Dr. Kowalski in the United Kingdom. Dr. Clare McVicker is the Director of Research Advocacy, at the type 1 diabetes research charity, JDRF UK. JDRF is the world’s leading charitable funder of type 1 diabetes research and its vision is a world without type 1 diabetes.

Dr. McVicker will be our closing keynote speaker at Thrive-abetes. This is our conference schedule with some more details of our other speakers and topics.

Don't forget to Register here for Thrive-abetes.

Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate people who want to purchase tickets on the day of the event. Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm, Thursday October 1st.

The Irish Diabetes Online Community

YES!!! We have one of those!

I'm hoping to get more photos of my diabetes tribe at Thrive-abetes.
But this photo will have to do for now.

I just read Renza Scibilia's Diabetogenic blog post about "My Tribe" and the first thought that popped into my head was that I would be with some of my tribe at Thrive-abetes!​ IN 5 WEEKS!!!

We will be in a room full of diabetes experts (i.e. people with diabetes), there won't be any judgement of how we live with diabetes, there will only be empathy, understanding and support. 

Don't forget to Register here for Thrive-abetes.

Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate people who want to purchase tickets on the day of the event. Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm, Thursday October 1st. 

We have updated our programme

We had a very exciting week here. On Monday, myself and Christine were interviewed on ClareFM's Morning Focus radio programme, which you can listen to here if you are so inclined. 

Christine, Pat Flynn & Me.

Christine and I met up before hand to go over our miniscule notes. Gosh, no matter how prepared you are, you are never really prepared. 

Anyway, we were reminiscing about how we met. I hope she doesn't mind me mentioning that she is almost 10 years diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and it was about 8 months after her diagnosis that we met. Christine has been there since the first type 1 diabetes meeting in Ennis. 

When you move to a new place it is hard to make new friends, really hard.

We got a little sentimental about the fact that time just flies and how our nerves were just shot and our hearts were racing at the thoughts of being interviewed.

On the same day, Ireland's independent health website www.irishhealth.ie published a story about Thrive-abetes. 

Anyway, enough with the digression! I realised after last weeks announcement that I had not updated the conference programme to include our additional speaker. 


Click on the link of the schedule that you are looking for.
Conference programme schedule for Adults with Type 1 Diabetes.
Conference programme schedule for Parents of Children with Type 1 Diabetes.

Don't forget to Register here for Thrive-abetes.

Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate people who want to purchase tickets on the day of the event. Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm, Thursday October 1st. 

Sugar Surfing at Thrive-abetes! Announcing another AMAZING speaker!!!

No! You won't need a wetsuit!

We have another great speaker lined up for Thrive-abetes. Kevin McMahon will be joining us on Saturday, October 3rd in Maynooth, Co. Kildare. He co-authored the very popular book "Sugar Surfing™ - How to manage type 1 diabetes in a modern world" with his long time friend Stephen W. Ponder, MD CDE, which was published in May of this year.

Kevin began his work in diabetes in 2001 after his daughter, Darby, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. With a technology background in computers, mobile networks and emerging smart phones, advancing diabetes technology was only a matter of time. Kevin is also an advisor to several companies in the field of diabetes and is a regular contributor to respected medical journals. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area in the USA. http://kevinlmcmahon.com

When I spoke with Kevin over Skype he said, "I'm very excited to attend and speak at the Thrive-abetes conference because it's by people with diabetes for people with diabetes. It's exactly this approach that has been missing for so long until recently. We're witnessing an explosion of innovation in technology and support thanks to this patient-driven format including my own efforts to modernize diabetes care delivery by enabling the empowered patient."

If you are interested in a sample of Sugar Surfing follow this link for an excerpt.

Register here for Thrive-abetes.

Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

The Thrive-abetes Blog is on holidays!!!

Just for two weeks! And then we will be back with lots more updates on our speakers and our exhibitors.

But registration is not:-D
Register here for Thrive-abetes.

Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

The Power a Diabetes Conference

Last week, I had the HUGE privileged to attend an amazing conference in Orlando Florida. It came about because of a scholarship award from the Diabetes Hands Foundation, through the Diabetes Advocates program. They covered the costs of my travel, registration and lodging while at #MasterLab, which was a fantastic mini-conference before the main event, ChildrenwithDiabetes/FriendsforLife 2015 (cwdffl15)

I covered my own expenses for the Friends for Life (FFL) conference, as I was already there.

I was waiting outside the exhibit hall on the first night of the #cwdffl15 conference. As we waited in.... em, mass (there were way to many people to call it a line) for the official opening of the exhibit hall, my new friend from, MasterLab & FFL, Kim, asked me if I had ever been surrounded by this many people with diabetes?

My new friends for life,
Kim and Mona.

There were 2,000 families at FFL. Most of them were standing in the foyer waiting with us. My answer was no!

While it's not possible to have those numbers at Thrive-abetes, I think that having 200 people with type 1 diabetes in one location will be impressive and so powerful.

Come join us!

Register here for Thrive-abetes.

Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Sponsor Spotlight: Diabetes Ireland Supports Thrive-abetes

Diabetes Ireland have been so supportive of Thrive-abetes since day one and will be one of our exhibitors.

You may have come across their press release in some of the local newspapers (I hope).

Kieran O’Leary, CEO of  Diabetes Ireland said ‘the organisers have been working for the past 18 months to pull this excellent programme together and people with type 1 diabetes should not miss this opportunity to learn more about managing their condition’.

Since 1967, Diabetes Ireland has been the national charity dedicated to helping people with diabetes, providing support, education and motivation to everyone affected by diabetes. Diabetes Ireland also raises public awareness of diabetes and its symptoms and funds research into finding a cure for diabetes.

And a lot of people don't know this, but Diabetes Ireland, or the Irish Diabetic Association as it was known back then, was formed with the purpose to have diabetes included on the Long Term Illness scheme. Having diabetes included on this scheme meant that people with diabetes would no longer have to pay for insulin, or other diabetes medications, blood glucose meters or strips.

As we all know, they succeeded and I will be forever grateful.

Today, Diabetes Ireland offer;

• Patient support over the telephone (lo-call helpline 1850 909 909), their facebook page, website and through local support branches. 
• Support for children with diabetes and their parents through our Sweetpea Kidz Club; children and adolescent adventure activities; family weekends; and parent support groups.
• Advocacy and liaison with: clinics, services, the HSE and the Department of Health and Children.
• Anti-discrimination activity.
• Health promotion initiatives including: schools awareness, workplace awareness, early detection and prevention initiatives and diabetes screening.
• Funding Irish and international research via our subsidiary charity ‘Diabetes Ireland Research Alliance’ - www.diabetesresearch.ie

Registration here for Thrive-abetes.

Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Sponsor Spotlight: Diabetes T One Support network

Diabetes T One (formerly Diabetes T1 Ireland) was set up specifically to raise awareness of Type 1 Diabetes. It is a social and support network on Facebook for people with type 1 diabetes. The also have a website to store all type 1 diabetes related information in one location.

The network is run by volunteers Davina Lyon from Co. Kildare and John O'Reilly from Co. Laois, both living with type 1 diabetes and they offer information, support and research to people living with type 1 diabetes.

As soon as Thrive-abetes was a twinkle in somebody's eye, Diabetes T One were quick to get behind it. They sponsored the first prize in our fundraiser raffle and have continued to offer assistance wherever possible.

Registration here for Thrive-abetes.

Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Introduction our Sponsor Spotlight Series: Insulcheck

Thrive-abetes is proud to announce that we have 13 companies exhibiting at our event. We will publish the full list of our exhibitors and sponsors over the summer.

We also have some companies who who donated to Thrive-abetes and will have coupons for products included in our Delegate Welcome Packs.

This is the first installment of our "Sponsor Spotlight" series, which will continue over the summer.

Sponsor Spotlight: Insulcheck

The people responsible for Insulcheck are an Irish company based in NovaUCD , Belfield Innovation Park, Belfield , Dublin.

Insulcheck is a gadget that clips on to your insulin pen and records the time that you last took your insulin injection.

Thrive-abetes is very proud to have William, John and the team at Insulcheck as a supporter!

From Insulcheck's website:

"Like many genuine innovations, InsulCheck was born from personal experience. It was set up in 2009 by founders John Hughes and William Cirillo. John has Type 1 diabetes and is insulin-dependent. He suffered a hypoglycaemic event and was hospitalised because he double injected by mistake. As he negotiated his recovery, he began to think about how he can make sure he and fellow patients with diabetes would not find themselves in this position again. The concept was born there and then.

InsulCheck removes the doubt for insulin pen users while offering their care team an extra level of security as their patients deal with their complex condition. Using a simple, light, add-on that clips to their existing pen, the time since the last injection is recorded on a digital display. People with diabetes and their families now have peace-of-mind like never before.

Innovation Zed Ltd. (trading as InsulCheck) is a company registered in the Republic of Ireland. It is based in the Learning and Innovation Centre at the Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown, Dublin."


Insulcheck have a website and a facebook page where you can find their contact details or order your very own Insulcheck.

Registration here for Thrive-abetes.

Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie). Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all delegates.

Thrive-abetes aims to provide delegates with "information, motivation and inspiration".

Why do I need Thrive-abetes to take place?

by Gráinne Flynn.

I have realised that I have asked others to write about why they want to attend Thrive-abetes but have not give my own version.

To rectify this here's my sales pitch (let's call a spade a spade:-)

I lived approximately seven years winging it with my type 1 diabetes - I wasn't trying to wing it. I just didn't have a clue what I was doing, or why!

As a result, these days, I crave knowledge about Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)! I know that no matter how much I already know about T1D, there is always more to learn. I also love to hear other people's diabetes stories.

My name is Grainne and my Type 1 Diabetes was diagnosed in 1993. When I stopped winging it with my diabetes management, I managed my Type 1 diabetes with multiple (sometimes up to 6 times) daily injections until 2010 when I started on an insulin pump.

I made that decision by reading other people's' reviews and all the research around how they work and why others were choosing them in large numbers in America. I realised then that one of the best sources of information about T1D management was other people's experiences and reputable websites.

Our healthcare professionals are wonderful but they're so busy taking care of patients day to day that they don't have the time to keep up to date with the latest research. That's why we, the people with type 1 diabetes have to make sure that we find all the information we need and take it to them.

How much information can you imagine would be contained in one room of one hundred people with diabetes at the Thrive-abetes conference?

And there will be a second room with another one hundred people! LOOOOOAAAAAADS!!!

Of course I want to be part of that!

Myself and some of my peeps
from the Clare T1D group.

Thrive-abetes aims to provide delegates with "information, motivation and inspiration" to thrive with type 1 diabetes.

You can register for Thrive-abetes here.

Registration for Thrive-abetes is open!

Finally!! Registration for Thrive-abetes is open. 

However, before you buy your tickets for this conference, take a moment to read through "Who should attend Thrive-abetes?"

Who Should Attend Thrive-abetes?

The Thrive-abetes; Thrive with Type 1 Diabetes Conference is for:

- Adults living with Type 1 diabetes or Type 1.5 Diabetes, also known as LADA (Latent autoimmune diabetes of adults). 

- Partners, Spouses and Significant Others of Adults with type 1 and 1.5 are welcome to attend Thrive-abetes also. They should buy their ticket for the programme they wish to attend. 

- Parents or Guardians of a child or young person with type 1 diabetes.
It is with a heavy heart that we recommend that you to leave your child with diabetes at home, if you can. Please see this post for why we decided this.

Ticket Price.

Tickets for Thrive-abetes cost €35 each, or €60 for two tickets (this includes the administration fee from Eventbrite.ie) and can be purchased here. 

Another GREAT speaker for Thrive-abetes: Dr. Clare McVicker from JDRF

It is with great pleasure that we announce confirmation of the fifth speaker at the Thrive-abetes conference.

Dr. Clare McVicker is the Director of Research Advocacy, at the type 1 diabetes research charity, JDRF in the United Kingdom. JDRF is the world’s leading charitable funder of type 1 diabetes research and its vision is a world without type 1 diabetes.

Dr. McVicker works to increase and further strengthen type 1 diabetes research by raising awareness of the condition and the profile of JDRF in the wider UK research community.

The JDRF UK is partnered with Diabetes Ireland Research Alliance (DIRA), which is a subsidiary branch of Diabetes Ireland.

Clare said: “I am really pleased to be part of this fantastic event and to represent our successful DIRA/JDRF partnership.  We are at an exciting time for research into type 1 diabetes, with many recent advances and breakthroughs, and therefore, I look forward to highlighting many of these at the conference'.

She added: “The cure for type 1 diabetes will be found. It’s just a question of time, money, and great research. Finding this cure could act as a skeleton key – unlocking ways to prevent and cure a range of other autoimmune conditions.”

Welcome Dr. Clare! You can find out more about Dr. McVicker here.

Are you a Winner in our Thrive-abetes Raffle?

We held our Thrive-abetes Fundraiser raffle on Saturday evening, May 30th, in The Grove Bar & Restaurant, Roslevan, Ennis, Co. Clare.

1st Prize of the signed 2014 Six Nations Ireland Rugby shirt goes to; 

Mairead Lynch, Clogher Head, Co. Louth 

Ticket No. 0075. We wish Mairead the very best of luck in her exams.

2nd Prize of Two nights B&B in Friar's Lodge Guest House, Kinsale, Co. Cork goes to;

Natasha Holohan 

Ticket No. 0341

Contact us Natasha so we can send you your prize!

3rd Prize of Two nights B&B in Friar's Lodge Guest House, Kinsale, Co. Cork goes to;

Daniel Hartnett, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick.

Ticket No. 0358.

4th Prize of the €60 Ticketmaster Voucher goes to;

Kate O'Donnell, Hospital, Co. Limerick. 

Ticket No. 0142

Congratulations to all our winners! And thanks to everyone who supported Thrive-abetes by buying a raffle ticket. 

Thanks also to our prize sponsors; DiabetesTone.com, Maureen Tierney of Friar's Lodge Guest House, and to Elissa Cassidy in Ticketmaster.ie

Why am I so excited about Joe Solo coming to Thrive-abetes?

I know that I am at risk of putting you all to sleep if I mention Friends for Life (FFL) UK again but I can’t stop talking about it.

One of the best things that happened was bumping into my insulin pump trainer in the corridor at FFL. After the usual how are you doing, what the hell are you doing in the UK? She hits me with "Are you going to run a conference like this in Ireland (she really knows how I work:-) and have you met Joe?"

I, of course, did not behave anything like a grown up would, but she insisted on introducing me and my friend, Christine to him. Within 60 seconds she had asked him if he would speak at our conference. It really pays to have good people in your corner!!

Who the hell is this Joe fella?

Myself and Christine had the pleasure of having him join us for lunch the next day. That was another fantastic thing about the FFL conference, everybody had lunch together, nobody sat alone, the healthcare professionals and families mixed socially. 

Anyway, we talked about how in my house I may be the one with diabetes but we all live with it. We talked about how children with diabetes do so much better with it emotionally when the family are a team. He even gave me a couple of pointers on how to perform my basal rate tests!

Joe is Joe Solowiejczyk, it’s a name I can never repeat or remember how to spell. Thankfully, he has made it easier for the world to talk about him by shortening it to Joe Solo. Joe is a registered nurse, diabetes educator and family therapist. He’s worked with families with diabetes for decades and he has lived with type 1 diabetes for 50+ years himself.

Joe works extensively with both patients and professionals on the Family-Approach to Diabetes Management. He works with paediatric patients and their families to help them cope with their child's diagnosis and daily challenge of living with diabetes. He designs educational and counselling programs for both children and adults with diabetes.

His ebook "A Type 1 Guide to the Universe"  introduces a new way to learn to thrive with diabetes. It is the first book to integrate the psychological and emotional aspects of dealing with diabetes into the core of its approach.

Joe is scheduled to open our conference with a keynote presentation. Plus present "Staying Motivated to take care of you diabetes, every day" to our Type 1 Adults group and chair a panel of Parents of children with diabetes.



I have included a couple of video links of Joe's talks on this link if you would like to know more about him.