OzDAFNE courses are suitable for people with type 1 diabetes over 17 years of age.

Credentialled Diabetes Educator Helen d’Emden who facilitates the program said: “Living with diabetes is not just about achieving the target for HbA1c.

“Some people with type 1 diabetes have their HbA1c around 7% (53mmol/mol) but maybe this is at the expense of their quality of life.

“Variable blood glucose levels, constant worry about hypoglycaemia, or restricted food choices and activity levels can also affect people.

“Others can experience severe hypoglycaemia or diabetes ketoacidosis, which are both largely preventable.

“This course is helpful to all adults with type 1 diabetes, no matter how long they’ve been diagnosed. It’s a great opportunity to meet others with type 1 diabetes, too.”

What you learn at OzDAFNE can give you the knowledge and confidence to manage some of the challenging aspects of type 1 diabetes.

“It’s been shown to significantly improve quality of life, improve HbA1c, assist with weight control and reduce severe hypoglycaemia,” added Helen.

Mark Wittman who attended the course said it changed his life.

“The facilitators were courteous, professional and very knowledgeable… They were both genuinely interested in my circumstances. I learned more in a week than I have in the past year.

“I have never had a handle on my diabetes since being diagnosed and have experienced some severe complications due to this,” Mark said.

“I have not been shown or directed to adjust my insulin with my food intake, only given a set amount before each meal.”

After attending the week-long course, Mark said he was now moving forward with the ability to manage his diabetes and that his overall health had greatly improved.

“I would like it known that this is a direct result of the OzDAFNE course,” he said.

Other participants commented: “It was amazing! Emotional, a little distressing, but amazing” and “The course was excellent. It was also good to hear of others’ journeys and experiences.”

The five-day course helps people to:

• Learn how to count carbohydrates and adjust your insulin doses
• Learn how to manage exercise, illness and hypoglycaemia
• Meet others with type 1 diabetes and share experiences.

The course is free for people who are registered with the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS).

OzDAFNE is available at:

• Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital Diabetes Centre
• Liverpool Diabetes and Endocrine Centre
• Macarthur Diabetes and Endocrine Centre
• St Vincent’s Hospital Diabetes Centre.

Further information about the DAFNE course and contact details for OzDAFNE centres can be found on https://www.dafne.org.au.

From 1 November courses will be run for people using pumps as well as those using multiple daily injections.