Friends For Life 2011 - Part One
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at 6:00AM Last week was one of the most amazing weeks I have ever had. I was blessed to be able to attend the Children With Diabetes Friends for Life conference in humid Orlando Florida.
When I heard all about CWD from my friend Sara years ago I knew I wanted to go but never thought I could pull it off. When I heard that they were focusing more on adults with type 1, I knew I needed to be there.
I took a red eye from LAX to MCO on the 4th of July which made for a colorful take off that is for sure. After a flight that had it's share of drama, I made it to Florida at 7am! YIKES!
I roomed with my buddy Scott Strange and thankfully he was up when I got in. I had been sick to my stomach the whole flight so I knew I needed some rest before I tracked down the rest of my d-friends. Scott took off and let me sleep for several hours which really did the trick.
Later that night I got to meet my beautiful neice. She is a doll and I had the honor of feeding her as she filled her diaper in my arms and promptly fell asleep. I just looked at her, smiled, and welled up with tears the entire time. I love her and her family so much.
Later that day and throughout the night I kept running into all these friends from the DOC which made for smiles around every corner!
One of my favorite moments was during the Grand Opening. Oliver Double, former comedian and father of two type 1 sons, did the opening keynote called "The Importance of Humor." He made mention of some funny answers to questions he had posted on the CWD site and said his favorite was a from a guy who calls himself Scott Strange! It was so awesome because we were right up front sitting with Scott so I was able to snap a sweet picture.
The focus groups and sessions I went too were amazing. To get into it all would mean a long borning post so I will just highlight some moments.
Scott and Kerri did a session on Finding Support Through Social Media and one thing that I loved about it is that Scott had his diet sodapop in his hand the entire time!
I found one of my new heroes. Joe Solowiejczyk made me feel so much less alone. When he talked about his diabetes story I heard so many parallels to my life that I had to make sure I went up and talked to him afterwars. He was inspiring, candid, and most of all, real. I hope our paths cross again.
I also got to meet my kin folks. Kendall Simmons from the Pittsburg Steelers. I asked him I could tell everyone that we were cousins and he said sure.
The exibit hall had some great opportunities for some fun pics too!
Of course any trip to an exhibit hall tends to be filled with swag. I got some glucose tabs, GlucaGel, a meter, and lots of other stuff.
But by far the greatest thing I brought home was this picture.
Thank you so much Caleb. I cherise this picture!
it was an amazing time and I plan to write more. There is so much more to share but I will leave you with a few pictures that prove that we have made friends for life!
Reader Comments (14)
Sounds like a fantastical time! From the looks and sound of things, it was truly the gift that will keep on giving! I have to admit, I'm bummed I couldn't make it - but I'm so glad everybody had a great time!
FYI, your niece is SO beautiful!
G, can I just say that the blue fur hat and shades really suit you!!
True diabetes fact: I met the phenomenal Joe Solowiejczyk when I was 8 years old at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. He was my diabetes coach/ cde/friend and I was lucky enough to be his third patient, ever.
He is one amazing dude and a big reason I see the diabetes glass 1/2 full!
LYLB
Kelly K
George! I am still a little bitter that I missed seeing your neice (because you didn't text me about their arrival like you were supposed to!).
When we were hanging out at the pool, I went down the waterslide right behind Joe S. - that guy makes me smile just thinking about him!
Laughed and cried over your meeting of Little Miss Z.A.
george-
fabulous post! great pics! i especially love the hear-see-speak-no-evil one. i was hoping to see that soon!
and your niece is ADORABLE! and caleb rocks! :D
Dear Ninjabetic,
I was so nice meeting you. It made me smile to see the picture I made in your post. You are one of my Friends for Life!
Love, Caleb
PS - You've got master skills!
Thanks George! It was such a true treat to meet you and chat and laugh and hug and, well - it was great! Thanks for taking the time with me and my family. :)
Lorraine
OH HAI TINY BABY HIIIIIII!
I love that you snapped a pic of the DOUBLE STRANGE TRAVELING SHOW! We will put it on the program covers!
And dude, your Joe Solo graphic is PERFECTION!
KIN FOLKS! And yours and Lee Ann's matching duck faces! EXCLAMATION POINT!!
But yeah, I'd have to say, as much as I LOOOVE all the pics you posted, Caleb's drawing is so totes the awesome-est!
WHOOOO!!!
Dude, this is so awesome!!! Thanks so much for sharing it, and I can't wait to hear and read more from everyone who got to FFL this year. Was bummed I couldn't swing it, but so happy to have the chance to experience it vicariously through you all! Love the photo Caleb made for you, and that disco photo made me crack up!
Smiling ear-to-ear. I hope, someday, to attend.
A guy as nice as George deserves a new adjective to describe someone: Baconaliciousawesometasticalsauceness. I guess that's really a noun though huh? The state of being the one true ninja.
Like other's - I couldn't make it - piggy bank was empty - but living thru' all the posts / pics that others like yourself that were able to attend are posting. Love the hat George - I am a hat lover myself!!! Hope they have same set up for Friends for Life event in Toronto and in the UK for photo memories like you have all been posting!
Omg all these FFL posts are making me cry!! So awesome. And you're rockin that blue hat!
Every time I try to think about my favorite part of FFL, a million things pop into my head - including some of the moments you mentioned here. It really was an amazing time. Pete and I are already on board for next year too!!! LYLB
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