Countdown to #MasterLab

On Monday, July 6th, I will be on a plane to Orlando, Florida for MasterLab. I've posted about my anticipation again this year, but what is MasterLab exactly?

According to Diabetes Hands Foundation:

MasterLab is about building a sense of what is possible in Diabetes Advocacy. If you are called to advocacy MasterLab will connect you with people, resources and skills be be a better advocate. The best way to get a feel for Master Lab are the slides and video archive from the Diabetes Advocates MasterLab from the summer of 2014 at the bottom of this page. It was presented by the Diabetes Hands Foundation in collaboration with Children with Diabetes.

Last year's MasterLab involved a single day. This year, the event covers a day and a half. I love that it has expanded. Personally, I would like to see it grow even more as the interest in advocacy grows. Although an exact schedule isn't available as of yet, here is what we're looking at so far:

Tuesday, July 7, 2015 – 7:30am to 4:30pm
Presentations and panel discussions 

Wednesday, July 8, 2015 – 8:30am to 12:20pm
Focus Groups

(Edited to add: I just got a copy of the agenda. See it here.)

There is an "after hours" adult only networking event on Tuesday night that participants can register to attend as well.

I'm counting down! My flight and room have been reserved as well as registration for MasterLab completed.* Yesterday I scheduled a taxi to and from the airport out here. All that is left is my online check-in for the flight the day before and packing my bags. Oh what to bring! I'll need to make sure I have rooms for souvenirs for the family (and me!).

It's not too late to sign up. Go to the MasterLab registration page to join us. If you would like to try to win a free trip to MasterLab, Medtronic is having a contest. Go here and fill out the form by Sunday, June 28. I hope to see you there!

*Disclaimer: I have been offered a scholarship by the Diabetes Hands Foundation as part of my participation in the Diabetes Advocates program to attend the MasterLab. My travel, conference fees, and hotel are being covered by the scholarship, but the opinions and ideas (as well as excitement and anticipation) I will report on are my own.

Ph.D. Candidate Needs Type 2 Help

Dianne Palladino, a Ph.D. candidate in Social and Health Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University, is seeking people to take part in an online research study for people with type 2 diabetes as part of her dissertation. 

It is completely anonymous, takes about 30 minutes, and those who participate will have the opportunity to enter a drawing for one of four $50 money orders. The survey is open to adults over 18 years old living in the United States who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. 

If you are willing to help, more information and the link to the survey can be found here:  CMUDIabetes.

Let's take this opportunity to help her and the diabetes community as well. 

Denial Hits Every Now and Then

I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in March of 2008. This was after having gestational diabetes five times. Five! I know the numbers. I know what they mean. Why then do I still go through stages of denial even after all this time?

Honestly I have no idea. Maybe because I don't look sick. I don't look like someone with a chronic illness.