Type 1 Now

I have been meaning to write this post for a week now. Last Saturday I spent the day in Austin at the JDRF Type 1 Now Conference. I had been looking forward to it since February. The day was spent learning about how to be a better diabetic. I sat in on many sessions that dealt with accurate carb counting, multiple daily injections (MDI), and girl issues that go right along with diabetes.

The highlights:
-Meeting Kerri Sparling of sixuntilme.com. When I was in the hospital and had no clue how my life was going to change, I googled "Type 1 Diabetes." Her blog was one of the first things that came up. I read for hours in my room and realized right then I was going to be okay. Sure, it was going to be hard. But if she can find the humor in this disease, I knew I could too.

-Getting a free one touch meter. The meter is great and all, but I really like the delica it came with. I can't even feel the prick!

-Learning about the different insulin pumps on the market. I was able to see the animas ping and the medtronic insulin pumps in action. I know its wrong to covet something, BUT I COVET ALL INSULIN PUMPS. I cannot wait to have one and learning about them just made it even more of a desire.

-Winning Cozmo, the diabetic monkey. His insulin pump is magnetic and will attach to all the places its ok to put your pump. How COOL.

-Learning how to get my insulin for free. Probably the most useful thing I learned! The website www.needymeds.com has a TON of medications for free, not just insulin. Most of them you have to apply for, but a lot of them also have savings cards. I would recommend taking a look. I am grateful for my insurance, but the savings card I found made the copay free!

-Meeting and connecting with other Type 1's! I even met a 4th grade teacher who told me how she explains it to her class. I've always wondered how I would do that, and she gave me GREAT advice.

I am so grateful I was able to go to this and learn so much. JDRF is doing AMAZING research for type 1 diabetes, and I cannot express my gratitude to the foundation. It was inspiring to hear and see diabetics who lived with this disease for over 50 years. Talk about motivation! You. Rock.