We are the leadership of ACT 1: Adults Coping with Type 1 Diabetes. We met each other through attending the support group for young women with diabetes. Through discussions of what we saw as voids in services for our diabetes community, together we have founded the organization ACT 1. You can learn more about us by reading our diabetes-biographies below, contacting us at our emails, and following our blog posts throughout the week.
Christina Conaty
Contact her – Tina@act1diabetes.org
Read her blog posts on Mondays!
Tina just celebrated her 36th birthday along with her 15 year diabetiversary last March. Being diagnosed as an adult has brought many challenges as she struggles with assorted complications.
While she felt desperate and alone in her 20’s, in regards to her diabetes; her thirties have brought comradery, friendship and support that she could have never imagined. Finding the support group for young women with diabetes was one of the best things that could have ever happened to her. Being involved with the formation of ACT1 has been such a life changing experience.
Once a very active person, Tina’s complications have slowed her down. She still loves to read, listen almost all types of music and she is a movie addict. She has been dating the same loving man for over 15 years and he along with her siblings, are her best friends. She recently can add to her list, dinner with the girls after support groups. It is such an amazing time.
Tina has many hopes and dreams; to own a house; to get healthier and to maybe one day be a Mommy. She is also hoping to change her bio picture constantly to show off her weight loss (which she prays to achieve). Tina’s biggest dream, like most diabetics is one day a cure will be found.
Venus Galarza
Contact her – Venus@act1diabetes.org
Read her blog posts on Tuesdays!
Venus, 22, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 5. She is interested in the improvement and advancement of medical and mental health care for all diabetics. Although she has lived with diabetes for many years, she believes every day is a learning experience. Venus is currently studying history and politics. She also enjoys reading and traveling. She hopes one day to teach in the field of her studies, attend law school or have a career in government. She anticipates the day when there is a cure for all forms of diabetes.
Stacey Divone
Contact her – Stacey@act1diabetes.org
Read her blog posts on Wednesdays!
Having lived with type 1 diabetes for 27 and a half years, Stacey thought she knew everything there was to know about the condition. That was until she met with other type 1s and realized she was wrong. Not only has she learned from her “new” diabetes friends, but has also gained a sense of connection she never before felt even with the support of her family and friends both growing up and as an adult. It has given her a whole new outlook on managing her diabetes and wishes it hadn’t taken so long to meet such wonderful women. She is interested in keeping up on all the current research pertaining to diabetes management and a cure and loves to help others in need of diabetes related info.
In other aspects of her life, Stacey works for an investment bank in the Regulatory area of Finance, is happily married for 6 years and has 2 lovable ferrets named Elvis and Linkin. She also likes to spend time with her nieces and nephew, spinning, music, laughing, Anne Geddes, good movies and sleep to name a few!
Genevieve Roberts:
Contact her – Gen@act1diabetes.org
Read her blog posts on Thursdays!
As an adult diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, Genevieve Roberts discovered a surprising lack of information and services for those living with the disease. Acknowledging the need to take better control of her health, both mentally and physically, she decided to join a support group for young women to meet others living with diabetes. Not only did she learn from and enjoy being with the support group, she found an arena in which to channel her efforts for diabetes advocacy. Aside from providing services not available elsewhere, she also hopes ACT1 becomes the main resource adults living with diabetes turn to for many of their needs. When she isn’t fighting highs and lows, Genevieve loves traveling and spending time with her husband and their two cats.
Katie Savin
Contact her – Katie@act1diabetes.org
Read her blog posts on Fridays!
Katie Savin was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was twelve years old, just before Halloween in 7th grade. After the initial several years in which she found managing her diabetes fairly simple, Katie faced a series of additional personal struggles that complicated her relationship to her diabetes. Battling food issues, then health insurance problems, and most recently a gluten intolerance, Katie has become increasingly aware of diabetes care voids and disparities facing her diabetes community. Additionally, she now believes that guilt needs to be added to the list of diabetes complications.
In the summer of 2008, Katie recognized that she had to try harder to find the motivation to take care of herself and her diabetes in particular. When she sought the benefit of social support from other young diabetics and could not find the support networks she needed, she decided to found a support group for young women with diabetes. She recognized that some of her own struggles with diabetes were particular to this demographic and thought she and other young women with diabetes could benefit from a source of mutual aid. Through this group, Katie has met truly amazing and supportive people that have inspired her to be nicer to herself and motivated her to work with her diabetes community at large. She hopes that through ACT 1 the medical community will better recognize the societal and psychological impacts on people living and coping with diabetes.
Born in Philadelphia, Katie now lives in Queens, NY and is studying for a degree in social work. Between studying, working, and plotting with her diabetes cohorts, Katie enjoys juggling, receiving postcards, and spending time with her partner and their Areca Palm, Phineas.
Coral Taylor
Contact her – Coral@act1diabetes.org
Read her blog posts on Saturdays!
Coral Taylor was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes on the eve of a friend’s winter party, November 1996. Diagnosed at a young age, Coral took advantage of youth camps and programs where was able to meet other kids her age living with the same condition. In addition, she participated in several studies with the Stanford Hospital trying out different types of diabetes treatments and devices.
However, once she turned 18 and left home for college, these support networks seemed to disappear. Coral found it truly challenging to meet anyone else with diabetes, and even more difficult to get them to talk with her about it. She started to feel ashamed of her disease, and as a result, started to ignore and hide it. Unless you lived with her, you probably would never find out she had diabetes.
You can imagine her excitement and relief when she received an email for a support group meeting for ADULTS with type 1 diabetes. There are no words to describe the comfort one feels when she is able to sit in a room with other women who are going through exactly what she is going through or has gone through. Through ACT 1, Coral hopes other adults coping with type 1 diabetes can find the same support and comfort – emotionally, socially, and healthily so they do not feel ashamed of their diabetes.
Lindsey Inserra – Bio coming soon!
Contact her – Lindsey@act1diabetes.org
Blog: Coming Soon!