Here are a few comments from people who attended "It's a New Day in Diabetes."
- After several months of sitting in front of the computer receiving and
sending messages to a virtual world full of hope, anxiety, knowledge and
experiences, the final day arrived. That virtual world started to become
true. Laura, Lauren, Sonia, Julia, Tom, all those names poured out of the
computer into Coronado's majestic reality were there. The hundreds of
diabetic families asking questions and sharing their experiences were all
there to live, as I did, one of the most enriching experiences I have lived.
No one could ever think that having a diabetic child could meant sometime in
their lives, feeling "proud" of belonging to the group of diabetic families
that met at the Children with Diabetes Conference. I felt as if we had
known each other for a long time; I felt near to everyone sitting there; I
felt as if having a kid with diabetes wasn't a great deal and most important
of all, I came back home with my spirit enlarged, willing to work hard for
my kid and all those in my country that didn't have the opportunity to live
what I lived.
Adriana M. Córdoba, Cali, Colombia
- We got home yesterday and it now somehow seems like a dream that we were
there at the conference in Orlando. It was a great experience to participate
in an amazing event like this and meet you and the other families. There was
so much to see and hear and we tried hard to learn as much as possible.
We'll do our best to share all the information with families here in
Hungary.
You have all done a wonderful job. Thank you for all the work you have done
for us and all the others.
Dóra, Zoltán and Máté Rozgonyi (Hungary)
- One of the best things Dr. Rubin said at the Children With Diabetes conference was "The only response to a child who tells you their blood glucose is high is "THANKS FOR CHECKING" Thank you Dr. Rubin for driving that point home!
Ellen H. Ullman
- The Jackson Family will always treasure the friendships made with our
conference families. Not only did we benefit from the information and tips
provided by the session facilitators, but the energy and support generated
by the attendees have provided us with a renewed inspiration and somehow
makes 24/7 diabetes more manageable. Our 11 year old daughter, Devin,
diagnosed at the tender age of 17 months, thought it was soooooo cool that
she could compare pump colors (as well as nail polish colors) and designs
with the other pre-teen girls she met at the conference. Her 13 year old
brother, Dylan, who does not have diabetes, derived a great deal of personal
satisfaction through his volunteer efforts and also now has a new source of
support from other siblings of kids with diabetes. We very much look forward
to keeping in touch with our new friends throughout the year and until we
meet again in Pasadena.
Dennis, Crystal, Dylan and Devin Jackson, Leesburg, VA
- Thanks to everyone the conference was a huge success. We had a wonderful time seeing old friends and making some very special new ones. It's like the best family reunion, with a family whose "ties" truly bind us. Donald made a few new girlfriends,(even though he never left Mom's side (years from now I'll probably be wishing for that), MaryRose loved the moon walk thing, great idea! Mom and Dad enjoyed meeting the presenters and the exhibitors, and just hanging out, it was fun especially after hours. Can't wait to do it again next year, when can we start registering?
Carol Komondy, mom to Donald 4.5 dx 12/98, pumping 6/00, MaryRose 6, and wife to Mike
- I just don't know how to put into words how great i think the Orlando conference was this year. Last years was so much fun I didn't think it could be topped, but it was. The whole family met new friends this time that we will never forget. The speakers were great and so informative, just wish there had been time to see them all, although the sessions were set up where
you could hear them all if you worked your time out right. Hannah and Ethan loved Camp Disney (KinderCare) there was so much there for them to do, it was hard to get them to leave each afternoon. Our family came home with a whole new perspective on things and friendships that will last forever.
Ed, Julia, Hannah and Ethan (dx 7-98 @10mo) Mattingly, Louisville, Kentucky
- Orlando's convention was a breath of fresh air for me. As a single mom of a recently diagnosed 2 1/2 year old, I was still trying to come to grips with handling the daily chores of sugar testing, injections and feeling over whelmed. My knowledge was limited and I didn't know how to reason with such a small child over matters of eating at certain times and other issues we now face.
This convention gave me the chance to speak to the representatives of so many wonderful companies and to try products to see what works best for us. The equipment we used prior to the convention was what we were given at the hospital. It is nice to make the choices for myself. The classes were great! I learned so much and am now going to buy some additional books to help me with carb counting and insulin control. The parents I met were such a great support group. My son got to see others taking injections and I got to see other families dealing with the same problem of getting their kids to eat. (And I thought it was only a toddler problem!)
This is something that was needed and you guys did a great job in providing all the information to make our lives better. I feel that I have some control now and that help is only an email away. We are definitely planning to go to California next year. I just hope it doesn't rain there.
Danielle Steele, San Antonio, Texas
- Our sons Jake (6), Josh (12) and Jason (16) had a wonderful time at the Orlando CWD 2001 conference. We met so many families from so many places. The sponsors/vendors were amazing. They not only provided an incredible amount of information and "giveaways," but also participated in volunteering their time in taking care of our children while we had an evening out! I truly believe every family left there with a true feeling of togetherness. One of the true highlights of the week was hearing an inspiring story from Gary Hall Jr. and watching our children listen intently. Thank you LifeScan. What an awesome
way to kick off the conference!
Thank you Jeff, Brenda, Laura & Lauren! A job well done! See you in Pasadena in 2002!
Carolyn and Peter Gershenson, Great Neck, NY
- You asked for a paragraph or two on the conference from participants.
Keeping it that short is hard, as it was an awesome and intense experience.
It was just great that everywhere we went, there were TONS of people with
matching T-shirts, testing kids' blood sugar, saying hi, sharing experiences.
In a small rural place like Santa Fe, we have never before had this
experience. The speakers were the BEST - I learned so much, even after
reading everything I could find on diabetes for 7 years. Richard Rubin was
so funny and compassionate - a terrific speaker. Many of the speakers
provided so much hope for the future of diabetes, with realistic acceptance
of the great things we have available right now. I got so much out of this
conference at so many different levels, and am so grateful to all of you who
put it together and gave us all these opportunities.
My 9 year old with diabetes, Emily, claimed that the conference was
"boring" and that she was really too old for the childcare. However, she
LOVED many of the activities: the Banquet, the Pump Girls, meeting the Disney
characters, the Exhibitors Hall. She tried a new meter I'd been encouraging
her to try for a year, and decided it is the new meter for her. She compared
pumps, and collected samples - she loved it. She told me that meeting the
Disney characters was "like a dream," and that the conference did make her
feel really special. I think the "boring" comment reflected the fact that
she still, after 7 years, really wishes she didn't have diabetes and didn't
have to go to this conference to learn about it. She attended some of the
sessions with me, and has been telling friends about what she learned. I
know she got a huge amount out of it, and was awed by seeing so many other
kids with diabetes and dealing with it. It was a terrific experience for her.
Jennifer Pruett, New Mexico
- We had a wonderful time and both felt we came away with much more than we came with. With all the work we
have done mentoring newly diagnosed families on line, nothing can compare to the face to face, smiles, tears and hugs we shared. CWD is truly a gift to us all.
The break out sessions were both educational and timely. So many families are struggling with school issues, teen, pre-teen, sibling and parent overload. Many of us could have spent more time than allowed with our speakers. The speakers (Richard Rubin, Fran Kaufman, Kris, etc.) were tremendous resources filled with valuable information. BRAVO!
Kari and Clare Rosenfeld
- My husband and I really can't thank God enough for letting us participate in this GREAT conference (which to us was more like a family reunion) so professionally arranged and organized, in which we were able to learn so much and meet so many nice people. It is so reassuring to know that you're not alone, that there is something being done everyday to help our children
have a brighter diabetes-free future. Let us all keep united in our prayers, let us all be ONE voice, ONE heart, ONE special person! God bless us all.
Graciela and Salvador Demallistre
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Mom and Dad to Johnsai (8) and Alecsai (5) Dx 1/18/00
- I would love to thank Laura and her family of beautiful volunteers who help to make this such a special time for all of our children with diabetes,and also the ones without. My 17 yr. old son John, dx in 11/98, was having some strong feelings of wantinng to give up, but thank you all a million times. Now instead of feeling "Why me?" he wants to know more about all the different topics we were so lucky to have gone to. He is a totally different person, and I thank you so much for giving him such a brighter and happier outlook on this. Florida was great and looking forward to next year God willing.
Holly, mom to John, Jersey City, NJ
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Last Updated: Thursday August 29, 2002 21:04:46
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