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Greetings!
Hello and welcome to the May edition of Yada Yada! This month we take time out to thank some special people who have helped the Network and its members: Kate Gilbert, the former T1 Network president; Dave Salmon for his generous sponsorship; and health professionals who take the time to care. We also take a look at the flu vaccine, now that winter is here, and provide some general tips about getting your insulin pumps reimbursed through private health insurance. |
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Changing of the guard
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 In March, Kate Gilbert - founder of the Type 1 Diabetes Network and long-time president - finished up with the team. Thanking someone who has spent countless hours and bucketloads of energy helping others never seems quite enough to pay them back for all their hard work - and that's how we feel about Kate. Even though Kate has left, her dedication and hard work continues to shine through the projects she breathed life into: the Yada Yada
newsletters, Reality Check forum, the T1DN website and the in-person meets. If it weren't for her generosity of spirit, we wouldn't all be connected in the ways that we are today. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours and look forward to hearing about some of them soon!
Fortunately, Kate has handed over much of her knowledge and experience to the new leadership team, which is headed up by Kerry Vinall, our new president.
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Some of the leadership team - from L to R: Kerry, Susan, Natasha
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Assisting Kerry are:
- Natasha Reddrop, vice-president
- Emma Warneke, treasurer
- Colleen Clarke, secretary and public officer
- Susan Greenbank, who will be taking on the role of general manager from July.
The leadership team, together with the management committee, is already working hard to make sure that the Type 1 Diabetes Network fulfills its goals and continues to meet the needs of its members.
Please contact us if you have any questions or even if you just want to say hello - we love to hear from our members!
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*******************Sponsored Announcement*****************
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For more information visit www.abbottdiabetescare.com.au
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Raising T1 awareness - thanks to a basketball sponsorship
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Ok, firstly, no, we did not sponsor a basketball game, but someone else did. So, what has that got to do with us, you ask? Well, usually, sponsoring an event means you get to promote your own business or cause. Instead, this generous someone (aka: Dave Salmon) chose to promote the Type 1 Diabetes Network more than his own business, Rescrap Metals. Why is Dave more passionate about raising the awareness of T1 diabetes? His 15-year-old son, Jake, who plays for the Knox Basketball Association, has T1. Even so, by increasing the awareness of T1, Dave has also helped others in the same boat as his son - others he may not even know.
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From L to R: Jake, Kathy, Colleen, Dave
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The sponsorship was major - obvious by how much 'airtime' we got: the Type 1 Diabetes Network was mentioned on the introduction page and featured on a two-page spread in the program. We were also mentioned several times during the game and advertised on 3 huge signs placed around the stadium, which will stay up all season. Not only that, our very own secretary, Colleen Clarke, was invited to speak at half-time about T1, the Type 1 Diabetes Network and what we do. This was her first public speaking engagement - and it was to an audience of around 400! According to Dave, his family and friends, Colleen spoke like a natural.
All in all, the night was a success for both the Network and the Knox basketball team - which won both its games.
Finally, we'd like to extend a HUGE thanks to Dave for generously raising awareness of T1 diabetes and our network during the 2011 Knox basketball season.
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************Sponsored Announcement************
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Have you thought about getting the flu vaccine?
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Pic courtesy of Wellcome Images
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Now that winter is pretty much here, will you get the flu vaccine? Have you even thought about it? Based on an article written by Dr Michelle, who happens to have T1 herself, we reckon that getting vaccinated against the flu is a good idea. To make an informed choice, you can read her article on our website here. It explains the difference between the common cold and the flu, why we should consider getting vaccinated and where we can get the vaccination. Also check out what some of you are saying about this topic on the forum - join the conversation here and here.
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******* Government Sponsored Announcement*******
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PATIENT SAFETY PROGRAM SURVEY
The NH&MRC Patient Safety Program is recruiting adults 18 to 35 years old with Type 1 Diabetes for an anonymous ONLINE Survey about how they manage their diabetes.
The information collected may help improve health services for young adults with Type 1 Diabetes.
If you would like to complete an online survey or be a participant in a focus group with other young adults with T1DM, please contact
Dr Janice Wiley at: j.wiley@unsw.edu.au
**Participants will go into a draw to win a 16GB Apple iPad with Wi-Fi!**
NH&MRC Patient Safety Program
Centre for Clinical Governance Research
University of NSW
Kensington NSW 2052
Ph: 02 93858503
j.wiley@unsw.edu.au
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Know a helpful, caring health professional? Say thank you
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At times, some of us come across a helpful health professional who's switched on about T1. So instead of just spending time complaining about our bad experiences (which many of us do - it's only human nature!), we think we should spend some time thanking helpful health professionals. Why? Well, not only will your health professional feel happy and motivated, it will also make us feel good about ourselves. Besides, sharing the names of skilled health professionals means that more people will become aware of who they can go to for friendly, professional advice.
A good way to thank your health professional is to write them a letter and send it by 'snail mail'. It's more personal than an email. You can find tips for writing a thank-you letter here. If you want to spread the word further, an easy way to do it is to have them added to the list of recommended diabetes health professionals on our website. There are already quite a few listed. So if you've had a positive experience with someone who's not mentioned on the list, send us an email - we'll make sure their name goes onto our website. Oh, and you can share your experiences on the forum too. We always love to hear a good story. |
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***T1DCC Announcement for 4 June 2011 Get Together***
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T1DCC (Type 1 Diabetes Capricorn Connection) would like to extend a warm invitation to all adults living with type 1 diabetes, & their family or support person to attend our next group get together. It will be held at the Rockhampton Community Health Centre, corner Bolsover & Cambridge Streets, at 2:00pm on Saturday 4 June 2011.
If you'd like to meet like-minded adults in the same situation & get up-to-date information from guest speakers on this disease, then please come along. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information please contact Katie Mitchell, Coordinator of T1DCC, on 0429015454 or email: t1dcc@yahoo.com.au. |
Do you have problems getting your pumps reimbursed?
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Pic courtesy of lilszeto
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As many of us know, private health insurers are required to cover insulin pumps as they're listed on the Commonwealth Government's approved prostheses list. So why is it that some health insurance companies make it so difficult for us to get reimbursed? Well, they'll tell you, it all depends on the plan you choose. But health plans are not easy to read - most are written in lengthy corporate jargon - so it's tricky to work out which plan clearly covers insulin pumps and, at the same time, won't cost us an arm or a leg. Besides, the last thing we want is to shell out $$$ for a membership only to find out after the 12-month waiting period our plan doesn't cover pumps after all! So, what should we do?
Before taking out a plan, always read the fine print and ask the insurer plenty of questions. Better yet, get them to email you in plain English a list of plans that will cover insulin pumps - no ifs or buts. There's nothing like written proof. The rep from your insulin pump company may be able to help too. If you have anything to add or want to know what's been happening to other members, have a look at the discussion here, or start a new thread on the forum to share your experience.
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*****************Sponsored Announcement*******************
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| Want to catch up with some other type 1-ers? | |
These informal meets are the perfect way to meet others in your area who have type 1 diabetes. Organised by everyday people, these unofficial get-togethers are a fun and relaxed way to get to talk to people who really understand! In May there were meets in Melbourne and North Brisbane. Keep an eye on the Meet Forum for meets in your area, or why not organise a meet yourself? |
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Quick shots
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Hot topics on the Reality Check online forum include:
On Munted Pancreas, Parents of Kids with D are discussing: |
I hope you enjoyed this edition of Yada Yada. As usual, if you have any suggestions, just reply to this email.
All the best!
From everyone at
The Type 1 Diabetes Network
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