As a new DiabetesSisters PODS Leader, I was very excited to attend Leadership Institute in Chicago this year. I was not disappointed and am already looking forward to going again next year! I had the privilege to travel with Diane, another PODS Leader from my state of Ohio. Diane had been to previous Leadership Institutes and knew how to travel to and from the Chicago airport. She helped put my mind at ease, especially when we arrived much later than expected due to bad weather. We checked our blood glucose levels, took walks, ate food, and drank Starbucks while waiting for our departing flight and enjoyed a time of DiabetesSisters fellowship.

My favorite thing about Leadership Institute was meeting all the other women living with diabetes and hearing about their lives and their experiences. I enjoyed hearing about the other PODS Meetup groups and came away with some excellent ideas for my Meetups and for recruiting new ladies who may not know about my PODS Meetup. Meeting other ladies living with diabetes brings an instant camaraderie, and the word “Sisters” is appropriate. Sharing hugs, tears, conversation, and laughter was the way the weekend was spent. A panel of women shared how they treat low blood sugars, and I learned about a new glucose gel to try. I got a soft and comfortable DiabetesSisters t-shirt that I’ve already worn several times, and I am excited to promote DiabetesSisters this way.

Shawn Shepheard, one of the facilitators for the weekend, taught a Leadership Advantage session. He was so kind, funny, and engaging. I wish my husband could have heard his talks. He motivated us to write our personal and professional goals - where we want to be a year from now and how to get there. He also inspired us to change one daily habit for 30 days and see what kind of impact that will make in our lives. I was challenged to think of my strengths, opportunities, and about positive changes I can make. He taught us about the Pomodoro technique of setting a timer for 25 minutes to get something accomplished.

I met another PODS Leader whose son has Crohn’s disease. My son has ulcerative colitis and I shared with her that a doctor told me IBD and type 1 diabetes are genetically linked. She had not heard this and was bummed to find this out, but also relieved to know she and her son are not alone in their situation. We shared tips and helpful information about healthy eating, supplements, and de-stressing that we’ve learned along the way to help our sons to overcome IBD as we have tried to with diabetes.

I felt like I was treated like royalty the whole weekend. The hotel was fabulous. The food was healthy and delicious, and the snacks were wonderful too. I learned about the private Facebook group for PODS Leaders and joined so I can be more informed about different things going on. Sarah Mart, Director of Operations, took time to answer questions and help the new PODS Leaders. Everyone's tokens of appreciation at the end of the weekend were diabetes-related. Again, I was made aware of products that I did not know about before this event. I wrote down several book titles and have already ordered two of them for my own library and to share with my PODS Meetup group. I feel so grateful and blessed to be a part of DiabetesSisters. I hope to encourage, inspire, and make other ladies living with diabetes in my town feel as special, cared for, and loved as I do. Giving hope and help to others is what it is all about. Thank you so much.

Terri H is a PODS Leader in Marion, OH.