For the second year in a row, Connected in Motion partnered with the US nonprofit organization Children with Diabetes to bring their signature program and conference for people with Type 1 diabetes, Friends for Life, to Canada. This event marked Children with Diabetes’ 97th conference worldwide, and the CIM Team was excited to share its magic with families here at home.
The event brings together the Type 1 diabetes community for a weekend of educational sessions, workshops, and lectures for adults and age-specific programming for youth. Speakers included renowned clinicians, researchers, physicians, opinion leaders and industry experts. Youth sessions brought together infants (0-5), elementary aged (6-8), tweens (9-12), and teens (13-17) with type 1 diabetes alongside siblings and children of adults with type 1 diabetes to connect, learn, and have fun under the guidance and supervision of Type 1 and sibling mentors and a dedicated medical team.
Due to the incredible support of our sponsors, this year we welcomed over 500 people to the conference. To help get the lessons learned at the conference out to the world, many of our speakers have provided us with their slides to post online. We are grateful for their willingness to share and help the impact of this conference be felt beyond the walls of the conference building itself. Please enjoy the following presentations on type 1 diabetes and mental health.
Presentations on Type 1 Diabetes and Mental Health, Friends for Life 2019
Deanna Paolantonio, PHD
Deanna Paolantonio, PhD, is a dancer, fitness instructor, certified teacher, Ph.D., and T1D. Her formal dance training began at the age of four and her love of movement has fuelled her work and studies. D-Dance is the result of her doctoral studies where Deanna focused on ways to use dance as a tool for promoting creativity, confidence, and positive body image in students. While Deanna will admit that her diagnosis with T1D was initially something she saw as an obstacle, it has since become a source of great inspiration and opportunity. An opportunity to learn more about her body, an opportunity to educate others, and more than anything an opportunity to inspire T1D dancers to continue their love of movement despite diabetes. Yes, life might be tough sometimes with T1D but it definitely does not have to be any less sweet.
Body Positivity & T1D: The relationship between T1D and Body Image
Dr. Deanna joined families for a discussion surrounding body image and its relationships to Type 1 Diabetes. The presentation centred around her model for promoting positive body image and worked to identify, define, and relate the three fundamental concepts from her model (i.e. body functionality, belonging, and body-based aesthetic ideals) to T1D. Dr. Deanna will shared real-world strategies for helping people with diabetes improve body image in relation to diabetes, with a specific emphasis on the benefits of community and communication.
Jess Forster, MSW, RSW
Jess Forster, MSW, RSW, is a social worker who is passionate about connecting with children and families living and thriving with type 1 diabetes. For the past 11 years, Jess has worked at the Markham Stouffville Hospital Pediatric Diabetes Clinic in Markham Ontario Canada, and she is absolutely thrilled to be a part of the CWD Friends For Life conference in Canada.
Fostering Resilience in T1D
Resilience is the ability to withstand and bounce back from adversity: Something that’s faced often as families with Type 1 diabetes. Through this presentation, Jess discussed the connection between resiliency and Type 1 diabetes and the opportunities that exist for fostering resilience within the family and for individuals with Type 1 diabetes. parents raising children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes.
No more Diabetes Police: Allowing for independence in youth with Type 1 diabetes
Growing up with Type 1 diabetes in the family can be a balancing act between maintaining control and allowing independence. Jess Forster, MSW, RSW, led a discussion around striking balance, creating an optimal opportunity for diabetes independence, and employing tactics to help keep the diabetes police at bay. This session was targeted to all families living with Type 1 diabetes.
Julie De Vos, RKin, CDE
Julie De Vos, RKin, CDE has spent much of her life volunteering and working in the T1D community. These passions led her to a degree in Kinesiology and Health Sciences and a career path in the diabetes industry, previously focused on building programs and communities for not-for-profit diabetes organizations. Today, Julie is a Registered Kinesiologist, Certified Diabetes Educator, Health Coach, Wilderness First Responder, Alpine Ski Instructor, and Advanced Scuba Diver. She is passionate about living life to its fullest and helping those in the diabetes community thrive.
Assessing the gaps in T1D care: Type 1 Think Tank Session
The Type 1 Diabetes Think Tank Network strives to improve quality of life and health outcomes for people with T1D by putting people with Type 1 diabetes at the centre of solution creation. During this interactive workshop, Julie facilitated a discussion to help define the Type 1 diabetes journey as an adult, identify gaps in the ecosystem, and collaborate on solutions to help improve life with T1D.
Michelle Auderbach
Michelle Auerbach was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2005 at the age of 12. Interesting fact: her mom has Type 1 also and was diagnosed when she was 8! Michelle is a volunteer for diabetes organizations in her hometown of Montreal. She is dedicated to spreading awareness about Type 1 and invisible illness through social media. You can find her sharing her journey on her blog, Love Light and Insulin, or on her Instagram @ehmichelle.
Michelle Lord, PHD
Michelle Lord, PhD, is 29 years old and lives in Toronto Canada, where she just completed her PhD in Medical Physics. She has been living with type 1 diabetes since she was 12 years old and is currently using the t:slim X2 insulin pump and Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitor. Michelle is very involved in the diabetes online community, and regularly posts videos on her type 1 diabetes lifestyle YouTube channel. In her spare time, Michelle loves taking ballet classes, traveling to new places, and spending time with family, friends, and her husband Raffi.
Diabetes Online Community: Making connections in the T1D digital world
Michelle Auerbach and Michelle Lord took a look at the value of connecting with the online diabetes community. They discussed the benefits and challenges of talking about your health online and explored ways to help keep the online space safe, constructive, and supportive. This session was targeted to adults living with T1D and loved ones.
