I didn’t take that many notes during Dr Atmore’s talk, which is not to say that I didn’t enjoy it or get a lot out of it. Dr Atmore is a GP living in Greymouth, who recently had a son diagnosed with Type 1. I’ve often thought how lucky I am that I live in Auckland and have easy access to a variety of services as and when I need them. In the last year I’ve been to North Shore Hospital to be hooked up to a CGMS; to Waitakere for my regular care, again to Waitakere to get my retinopathy screening done, and of course to Auckland Hospital for the fantastic level of care I’ve had pre-pregnancy and during pregnancy. I’m also lucky in that if I come across a health practitioner I don’t click with there are other options for me to diversify – likewise I can choose from a plethora of places for blood tests or supplies (insulin pump companies for example – I am well served for people within the city radius who I can talk to or get back up equipment should I need it).

Not so when you live in a small town of course. Dr Atmore told us of a couple of occasions where she and/or her husband and son have had to drive long distances in terrible weather (more than once getting blocked in by the weather) to get specialist help for their son. They also drove all the way to Christchurch for a social evening for other type 1s.

Specialist care is one thing that can’t be replaced by anything other than face-to-face consultation, but peer support is one thing the internet can provide. Keep an eye on this website – I’ll be expanding before the end of the year to provide a forum for everyone and everyone to set their own agendas and have their say, not just on topics that I find interesting