IN a first for WA, the FlexIT type 1 diabetes management course will be available in Stirling.
Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was seven, 21-year-old Kurtis Hatton said the two-day course made him feel relieved and informed.
“I breathed a sigh of relief to be around people of all ages going through the same thing as me, there was no judgement; there is no such thing as perfect diabetes control,” he said.
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READ NOWCourse co-ordinator and dietician Amy Rush said she trained to teach the type 1 ‘refresher’ course at Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Centre in Melbourne.
“This course is all about how to integrate diabetes into your life rather than fit your life around diabetes,” she said.
“It was great to train in the course and bring it back over to WA, Telethon Type 1 Family Centre are the only place in WA who run FlexIT (flexible insulin therapy).
“We cover everything from what is type 1, carbohydrate counting, eating out, drinking, sick day management and more.”
Ms Rush said the course informed participants about useful iPad and iPhone apps they could use to manage their illness.
Mr Hatton’s partner Courtney Roy said people with type 1 from the age of 16 could enrol in the course and bring a partner.
“Being educated (about type 1) has helped me help him so if people are able to bring a partner I would highly recommend it,” she said.
WHEN: March 18 and 25 (course runs over 2 consecutive Saturdays), 9am to 4.30pm
WHERE: Telethon Type 1 Family Centre, Limosa Close, Stirling
Visit www.telethontype1.org.au to register