January 26, 2011

theBetesNOW January Event

theBetesNOW event on Saturday was awesome.

Well all but the car curse.

After introductions Connor did a quick cool top three - three cool new things in the diabetes world. Having just earned a drivers license Connor talked about the freedom driving brings a teen. He also mentioned that with that mobility comes taking diabetes around with you. So the first cool thing was a gift from our good friends at Roche. Key rings that have a little holder for four gluco tabs. Everyone got a few to take home. Thanks Todd at Roche.

Connor pointed out that they can be useful and keep you from going low and hitting the house as you pull into the driveway. That happened as he came home from taking the SAT test that morning. Same car that got towed the day we had the last event. Bad karma. (get it karma - CAR-ma? ok sorry about that back to the event update.)

Ninja meters on a key chain were the number two cool item followed by... Art. Connor introduced Lee Ann Thill of Diabetes Art Day fame. Lee Ann talked briefly about how art stretches our minds to make connections out side our typical norms. She pointed out that is exactly the kind of thinking that makes diabetes care successful.

Genius.

She then led the group to stretch their brains and create some art. I brought some stuff, Colette from OmniPod brought some dummy pods and Lee Ann brought loads of supplies. A great time was had by all. The kids being more nimble both physically and mentally got right to it and created some wonderful stuff. We old folks tried to keep up.









It was hard to come back to reality. Fortunately we had Gary Scheiner there. After pulling a few tables together Gary led the adults and older teens in a round table discussion that was every bit as creative as the process of making art. He spoke briefly about CGM and pumps and then asked each person which they would choose if they could only have one. Opinions varied and this was Gary’s point. Understand what you value in your care. Don’t focus on what others think work to your own strength.


Genius again!


After some wonderful conversation we did manage to get Gary to talk a little about the the new online programs his office is offering. Called Type 1 University the program offers a variety of advance classes on different aspects of type 1 care. Both live and recorded hour long classes are offered. You can learn more by liking Type 1 University on Facebook or by visiting their web site at: http://www.type1university.com/.


As for the car, it is fine. It’s a 1988 Olds 98. Cars were made of steel back then not tin foil. The house has vinyl siding. Minor repairs to the siding will be needed when it is warmer.

4 comments :

  1. This is a wonderful thing you and your family are doing Bennet. Wonderful. :)

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  2. Wow, what an awesome event. I wish we lived near you so that we could and interact with other families and meet wonderful guests such as Lee Ann and Gary.

    Okay, so what are ninja meter keychains? I really need to know/see.

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  3. It was such a wonderful event Bennet - thank you so much for organizing it. Gary and Lee Ann were wonderful and the company was great too!

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  4. Looks like a wonderful time was had by all! Kudos for your family for putting on such a needed and worthwhile event!! The Betes Now rocks!

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