Michelle Law has been to her fair share of diabetes conferences—both online and in person—and she’s here to spill the pros and cons of each. From the comfort of home in PJs to the buzz of real-life meetups, she shares what’s great (and not-so-great) about both formats. If you’re wondering which option might suit you best, Michelle’s got you covered with honest insights, a few laughs, and an important reminder to keep the language respectful and inclusive.

“Embarking on my journey with type 1 diabetes (T1D) over 31 years ago, I traversed through a landscape shadowed by secrecy and silence,” writes journalist, diabetes advocate and #dedoc° voice Sebastián Haro, “This voyage has been one of profound transformation, marked by challenges, revelations, and the eventual embrace of technology and community that illuminated my path to empowerment.

“This is not just a story of managing a chronic condition but a deeply personal narrative of finding my voice and place in a world that often misunderstands T1D.”

“Including people with lived experience in diabetes conferences is no longer just a ‘nice to have’,” writes patient advocate and #dedoc° voice Emma Doble.

But what is the Patients Included charter? How can a conference become ‘Patients Included’? And why is the inclusion of people with lived experience so important?

“The recent ATTD 2024 conference was a beacon of innovation and insights into the realm of diabetes technology and management,” writes Tino in today’s recap of March’s scientific conference. “It is evident that we stand on the cusp of a new era in diabetes management.”