This week I’m double dipping. I’m attending the annual Children with Diabetes Friends For Life Conference and I’m also making that the subject of the latest episode of Diabetes Connections. #CWDFFL is the largest family diabetes gathering in the world. It’s unlike any other conference I know.
On the podcast, you’ll hear from Laura Billetdeaux, VP of Education and Programs for Children With Diabetes. She sparked what became Friends For Life sixteen years ago when she got on a CWD chat room and asked if anyone wanted to meet up during her family’s vacation in Florida. More than 500 people showed up and it’s grown every year since then. Billetdeaux is quick to point out that many people are responsible for organizing and pulling together the conference and many other events each year. But she raised her hand and got it started.
I’ll also talk about my experience at Friends For Life and you’ll hear from a mom who couldn’t find the support she wanted when her son was diagnosed with T1D as a toddler. She shares how she created the kind of group she wanted to join.
Helpful links from this episode:
Children With Diabetes website
Children With Diabetes Friends For Life (event page)
