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Greetings!
As the five loony weeks of the election campaign dragged on into even more politicking post-election, you may have nodded off, but we have been keeping an eagle-eye on anything that might be promised to improve life for Type 1s! The biggest thing to get our attention was online consultations with specialists - skyping our endos - how cool would that be?
We have some info on that this isssue, and next month we will bring you more of what was promised in the heat of the campaign that we need to make sure will actually happen.
We also feature much, much more Type 1 stuff in this August edition of Yada Yada, so check it out and enjoy. |
| Hurry! Last chance to nominate for The Seed Award! | | |
Only a few days left to nominate an outstanding group or individual for The Seed Award.
The Type 1 Diabetes Network has instigated 'The Seed Award' which will recognise people who have shown the strong values and commitment that Melinda Seed, one of our founders, has been contributing to the Type 1 community for many years.
Nominations close on 31st August 2010 so be quick!
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| Waiter, I'll have another glass of red! | |
 According to recent new studies, red wine may in fact increase insulin sensitivity and slow down or even stop retinal disease (a potential Type 1 eye complication).
Study participants who took concentrated amounts of resveratrol, a chemical found in red wine and peanuts, all showed improved insulin sensitivity and lower levels of blood glucose after a meal.
Granted, these studies were conducted on older and overweight people and therefore implications tend to focus more on those who are at risk of developing Type 2. However, researchers say that they are encouraged by the findings and "plan to conduct additional studies to further explore the potential utility of resveratrol in improving glucose metabolism."
Another study has found that resveratrol could slow down or even stop macular degeneration, a potential long-term side effect of diabetes. Resveratrol shows promise of inhibiting the growth of the blood vessels, which can tend to be weak and "leaky" in long-term Type 1s, and thus prevents further damage to the retina.
So, we say, "Bring on the vino!".
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| SKYPE THE ENDO? Election promises worth watching | |
Amid the dreary political manouvering of this year's federal election campaign, an exciting new concept that got our attention was online consultations with specialists such as endocrinologists.
Access to specialists was highlighted as one of the Top 10 issues for Type 1s in our recent Issues Statement.
Online consultations could make it easier for people with Type 1 to get the specialist health care we need, especially (but not only) those people in rural and regional areas. Moving Medicare into the 21st century and embracing online technology like this would be an exciting step forward.
The technology for online consultations has been improving for a while and it's great we are now discussing reforming Medicare to recognise that a medical consultation might not always have to be in person in a consulting room. With the election result still in the balance we can't be sure this is happening but the T1DN votes for more of this sort of thinking please!
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| HELP US SPREAD THE WORD by ordering some postcards | |
 We have just printed up some terrific postcards (pictured) to spread the word about the support and information people with Type 1 can find via our fab new website.
The postcards are on their way to health professionals around Australia. And you can help too!
You can help us support and connect people with Type 1 by telling your health professionals about the Type 1 Diabetes Network. You can also make sure they have postcards to give to other Type 1s.
Order some of our postcards and take them along to your endo, diabetes educator or other diabetes health professional - contact Colleen Clarke at colleen@d1.org.au.
 It is easy to feel isolated and alone in the daily struggles with the big D. We hope that letting more people know about the Type 1 Diabetes Network and how we can help them to connect with other Type 1s will ease the load.
Thanks for your help, and in the words of Jerry Maguire (almost):
Help us, help you! |
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| Diabolical diabetes days and the power of being positive | | |
So, have you ever had a DDD (Diabolical Diabetes Day)?
I had one the other week.
I tootled off to my new doctor for symptoms I thought were totally unrelated to Type 1. Yet despite my numerous protests, they repeatedly blamed my diabetes. I left with no real solutions and the unhealthy urge to laugh hysterically while I stabbed my GP psycho-style with an insulin syringe!
After ranting angrilly to myself in the car (and startling a few other drivers with my raging, psycho-style antics) I arrived home and not long after realised I felt a bit hungry. So, as you do, I did a glucose test - 1.8! @#$@! Talk about hypo insensitivity! It scared the pants off me (note - not literally) to think that I could be that low and not really feel any significant symptoms.
Gluggling down the full-sugar coke I keep in my fridge for just such an occasion, I then managed to choke on the aforementioned elixer. I coughed...I spluttered...I sprayed a sticky, disgusting mess all over my kitchen cupboards! I was not happy and I lost it. Falling onto the kitchen floor amid the spatterings of coke, I burst into a flood of tears.
There I was - coughing, crying and still trying to drink the @#$ stuff to get some sugar into my system, when I was interupted by a turn of a key in the door. It was my housemate and her suave new boyfriend dropping in to pick up a forgotten item before heading out. Oh the mortifying humilliation! Type 1 was now officially a curse too terrible to be borne!
A few days later (when I had sufficiently recovered my pride to venture out of my room), I read an article in Diabetes Health about the power of being positive, and suprisingly it really helped to remember that Type 1 is not (always!) the end of the world.
 Tyler Stevenson, a fellow Type 1 and author of the article, says, "There are thousands of people less fortunate than me. Being sorry for myself for having diabetes won't make it go away. Having a 'Pity Party' accomplishes nothing."
"I believe that there is power in being positive. Start appreciating and valuing what you have, and you'll start having better days."
So I've resolved to be more positive about the big D, and you know, although it is still only early days, and it will never, ever wipe that DDD from my memory, my new-found positive attitude really has made a difference.
Read more stories about being positive (and otherwise) on our T1DN website. |
| CHANGES TO HOW HBA1C IS MEASURED & REPORTED | | |
There are changes being proposed to how HbA1c results in Australia are reported to us.
The Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists (AACB) recommed that Australian Laboratries swap from the current DCCT/NGSP '%' unit to the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) unit 'mmol/mol'.
For example, a HbA1c of 6.5 may soon be reported to us as a measurement of 48.
There is soem concern that this will cause confusion and complicate even further the complex concept of what the HbA1c is all about. We still get very mixed messages about what we should be aiming for, and now the numbers might change entirely!
Also on the topic of our fabourite blood test, stay tuned for an easy to understand but accurate article about the HbA1c, from the T1DN. We are just finalising an article with info on frequently asked (and hard to answer!) questions about HbA1c. Watch this space! |
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| What will be the next big thing in D? | | |
There seems to be new technology coming into our lives every day (at an amazing rate really if you think about it) but it's been a while since anything really new and different actually hit the ground to help with managing D.
Pondering the absence of anything really new got a few of us thinking - what will D be like in the future - five years, ten years, even twenty years from now? What will be the next big thing in D? Will it surprise us and come completely out of left field?
 Suggestions have included a pill to prevent complications, a tattoo to measure blood glucose levels and much more. So, what do you think? Join our discussion and make your suggestion. |
| Driving and diabetes study - THANKS FOR YOUR HELP | |
 Thanks to all those people who responded to the "Driving and Diabetes" survey last month.
An initiative of the Australian Diabetes Society's "Diabetes and Driving Working Party", the survey attracted more than
300 participants in under 24 hours - a huge and fabulous response! Go us!
We are now analysing the results and will keep you abreast of news about driving and diabetes as it comes to hand - this is clearly a popular topic you're keen to be involved with! |
| CELEBS WITH TYPE 1 - you might be suprised! | |
 Most of us find those who have done great things despite (or because of!) the big D inspiring, and we are often asked about successful and/or famous people who have Type 1.
These are just a few that we know of:
- Anne Rice - author of Interview with a Vampire
 and the Vampire Chronicles
- Rob Palmer - Better Homes and Gardens presenter and Dancing with the Stars extraordinaire (nearly!)
- Steve Renouf - former NRL player
- Marcia Hines - singer and TV host
- Sam Reid - AFL footballer
- Guy Barnett - Tasmanian Liberal Senator
 Brett Stewart - Manly Seaeagles rugby league
player
- Nick Jonas - singer from The Jonas Brothers
- Barbara Holborrow - Children's Court Magistrate
- Victor Garber - actor (Alias, Titanic, First Wives Club, Sleepless in Seattle)
 Check out more celebrities with Type 1 (or maybe not?! Halle Berry once claimed to have Type 1, then later to have cured herself!) and perhaps even add to the list at our Reality check online forum. |
| Want to catch up with some other Type 1-ers? |
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These informal meets are the perfect way to meet others in your area who have Type 1. Organised by everyday people, these unofficial get-togethers are fun, relaxed and totally awesome, as you get to talk to people who really do understand!
Canberra - Type 1 Diabetes Interest Group (DIG)When: Tuesday 31 August Where: Hellenic Club in Woden Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm Further information or join their Facebook group.
Wollongong When: Thursday 16 September Where: Oak Flats Bowling Club, David Ave Time: 7pm Further information
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Quick shots
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Once again, the Reality Check online forum has been getting heaps of posts this month! Hot topics include:
On Munted Pancreas, Parents of Kids with D are discussing:
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So, that's it for this month. We look forward to moving towards better support and services for those with Type 1 with the federal government - whoever it may be!
And remember, contributions and article ideas for Yada are most welcome. Just hit reply to this email to send us a story or tell us what you think.
All the best,
Simone
The Type 1 Diabetes Network Inc.
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