Clinical Director

After a wonderful, busy week at Friends for Life Orlando, I can’t help but reflect on the lessons that living with diabetes for the last 34 years has taught me. Many families and adults living with T1D shared their versions of the lessons living with diabetes has taught them, hoping to ease the burden of others. It can be especially challenging to focus on the positive side of diabetes at times, especially at new onset or during a phase of diabetes distress or burnout. But as Friends for Life reminded me, and I hope it reminds you, too, diabetes teaches […]

There are several ways to get insulin into your body, such as wearing insulin pumps or automated insulin delivery systems (AIDs). This can be very helpful since people come in all shapes and sizes, and one size rarely fits all. Knowing what options are available for the system you use can make all the difference to your satisfaction and success with that system. What is available with what device? Insulin Pump Infusion Set Options Available Beta Bionics iLet Straight in cannula or steel needle Insulet Omnipod Only the angled proprietary cannula Medtronic 780G Straight in cannula normal or extended wear […]

When you have diabetes, you inevitably have to carry a lot of things with you. You have to be prepared for the many curveballs that diabetes can throw your way. How do you balance keeping enough supplies on hand and not carrying a giant backpack everywhere? It can be tricky, but it can be done! Here are some examples and scenarios to help you cultivate your various diabetes bags. Frequent places If you have a consistent place you go to, such as work, school, or family’s homes, it may be easier to leave some supplies there. These should include supplies […]

It’s always amazed me how many little things can go wrong with the human body. So many complex systems work together so harmoniously that we often take it for granted. It’s very similar to a car – many things are working hard to get me from point A to point B, and I get very frustrated when it doesn’t work as it should. One tiny piece goes out of alignment, and hours of time and likely hundreds of dollars later, it’ll be back to usual. Unfortunately, it’s less simple when it comes to the human body, as we cannot take […]

It’s human nature to hope for better things and for some to focus on improving things. Historically, diabetes has been difficult, and many people have been unable to achieve their glucose management goals. The tools and technologies that we have today help a lot, but it’s not a perfect system. Researchers are still working hard to find ways to reduce the burden of living with diabetes and improve outcomes. One of the areas of focus has been reducing the amount of injections. Developments in Insulins Compared to when insulin was first discovered and developed, many different types of insulin are […]