BeingDiabetic.co.nz » Conferences

Good sorts, and great chats.

Nic — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:39:22 +0000

Well I’m pleased to say that the third DYNZ conference was another brilliant one! I set off in the rain on Friday afternoon, and four hours later (having had the windscreen wipers on the WHOLE WAY) I turned up at the Heritage in Rotorua for the conference. The hotel was a typical kitsch sort of Rotorua feel, but it was pretty impressive. Lovely rooms, good food and an amazing outdoor heated pool and spa pools (neither of which I sampled seeing as I didn’t think to take my togs with me – duh). The main room where we held the conference was a huge auditorium which had a multi-level stage with fake rocks around it and artificial NZ fauna (tacky,…

Welcome new readers!

Nic — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 18:20:09 +0000

A big warm welcome going out to those of you who went to conference and have come along to this blog to check it out!

If you’re looking for the book I referenced, you can click the image on the right, or buy it from either of these websites:

Class UK – GBP 17.99

Amazon – US $28.73

And, if you like the look of this blog and would like to subscribe to email updates, you can go here.

More about the conference in tomorrow’s post. Have a great week!

Nic

Rotorua, I’m a ‘comin.

Nic — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:33:37 +0000

As you read this, I’ll be on my way to Rotovegas for the Diabetes Youth New Zealand Conference 2010. As opening speaker and MC, I’ve got my work cut out for me. I’m hoping it comes pretty naturally as have had so many things going on in the last few weeks I’ve not had nearly as much time for prep as I’d hoped!

Anyway, I’m looking forward to all of the speakers, and particularly the session on Sunday morning which comprises a panel discussion and interactive sessions about the daily challenges of life with the big D. It will be a bit like this blog, but in real life

I will bring…

Mish mash.

Nic — Wed, 26 May 2010 21:10:29 +0000

Hi guys, it’s a bits and pieces Thursday here at BeingDiabetic. A few things for you:

1. Diabetes Youth New Zealand conference timetable announced:

As you may know, I’m speaking at this year’s Diabetes Youth New Zealand conference in Rotorua. It’s on on the 21st and 22nd August.

You can see the full program (and enrol) here. Let me know if you’re thinking about going! Last year’s was really good.

2. Variety Club does it again!!

Fantastic news for the Hanlen family. I’m so happy for you and your lovely kids (what classic quotes in the article!). Also, special mention to Miss World NZ for raising money for Sarah Smit’s pump. Way…

Diabetes New Zealand conference 2010 – Destination Unity.

Nic — Tue, 04 May 2010 21:37:59 +0000

I got back from conference on Sunday night, absolutely exhausted. I always find it amazing how tired you get just sitting there at conferences… and it didn’t help that we had our six month old son in the room with us both nights either I guess – gosh babies can make some noise even when they’re sound asleep! (Actually add to that the fact that it was our first flight with him: I encourage any of you who are not already parents but are planning to be to take at least one aeroplane flight before you have children, and sit back, relax and do what you want – that is currently something I imagine I’ll be able to do again…

Wellington, here I come.

Nic — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 22:46:50 +0000

Morning all!

As this publishes I’ll be making my way to the airport with husband and son to get down to Diabetes New Zealand’s 2010 conference and 48th AGM, where I’ll be operating as MC.

I’m looking forward to it…. it’s always great to meet up with the people who are making things happen for us in this country, and of course to meet other diabetics or caregivers/family members of people with diabetes. So much to learn, so many stories to recount, so many people who UNDERSTAND.

The general run of events as follows:

Improving Wellbeing – How Diabetes Societies can contribute to productivity and economic growth – Suzanne Snively, Partner, PriceWaterhouseCooper Presentation of Diabetes

…

Reminders…

Nic — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 20:34:19 +0000

Hi everyone

A few reminders for you today…

1. BeingDiabetic April dinner
We’re having another T1 dinner in Auckland on Monday, 19th April. Contact me if you’re keen to come along.

2.Welly!
I’m going to be in Wellington for the Diabetes NZ conference and keen to catch up for a drink with any BeingDiabetic people who want to on Friday, 30 April. Contact me if you’re about and want to come along.

3. Buy the Herald today
Ruth Hill has an article about her campaign to get insulin pumps/consumables funded in the Aucklander section…

NZ diabetes conferences this year.

Nic — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:07:24 +0000

Hi all

I’m pleased to be attending two diabetes conferences this year, both the Diabetes NZ one (I’m actually MCing this conference) and the Diabetes Youth NZ one.

Would love to hear from any of you who are going along to either so we can keep an eye out for each other! Details:

Diabetes New Zealand conference
1-2 May 2010
Mercure Hotel, Wellington

More info here.

Diabetes Youth New Zealand conference
20-22nd August 2010
Heritage, Rotorua

Details of conference still to be announced.

Aaron and I are thinking of doing a roadie from Auckland down to Rotorua so give us a holler if you’re keen for a convoy. BYO wine gums.

Diabetes Youth Conference report 8: Doug Burns

Nic — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:36:40 +0000

Ex Mr Universe Mr Doug Burns was both the keynote speaker at dinner on Saturday, and final speaker at the conference on Sunday. Doug has had T1 since he was seven years old, and is now in his 40s… so he’s seen a lot of technology and improvements in the field come and go.

There wasn’t anything specific in his talk which I picked up on, apart from how good it was to have such a charismatic, enthusiastic, funny world champion in fitness telling his diabetes story and passing on his enthusiasm to everyone in the room. He – like Sean – didn’t have any other bodybuilding T1 role models to follow, so he chartered his own course (and he…

Diabetes Youth Conference report 7: Sean Busby.

Nic — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:20:22 +0000

Sean Busby was one of the international speakers brought to the conference, and in my opinion perfect as a role model for Diabetes Youth. You’ll see from the clip above that Sean was already a successful snowboarder at the age of 14 and was absolutely at the top of his game by the time he got to the age of 19. However he got increasingly sicker and sicker at that point in his life, and continued to struggle with intermittent bursts of uncontrollable vomiting. Alongside this, he lost shedloads of weight. It took him nine trips to the emergency room (A & E) for someone to finally pay attention to how sick he really was. It was at that…