I’m back from another whirlwind adventure. This time, a trip to the Children With Diabetes: Friends For Life 2011 conference. Or as I like to call it, “Diabetesland.” The week was absolutely incredible, spending days and nights with people with diabetes…just like me.
It. Was. Awesome! I have a lot of stories and information to share from the Friends For Life experience, but first I want to recap an event that was eight months in the making.
On Tuesday, July 5, 2011, nearly two dozen people who share their lives with diabetes joined together for the first ever D-Coaster Day, inspired by those days that are spent on the glucoaster with our blood sugars going up, down, and all around. Except this day was way more fun. WAY more fun!
Kicking off the 2011 D-Coaster Day at Disney's Magic Kingdom!
Our first coaster of the day was Space Mountain, where Jess and Scott were thrilled, while Josh took a moment to say a prayer and watch his life flash before his eyes.
Then A-Flizzle mopped the floor with me on the Buzz Lightyear ride. If evil toy robots ever try to take over, trust me, we want her on our side.
Also while in Tomorrowland, I found Stitch, who has done an impressive job of blending in here on Earth. Only that one paw gives him away.
Next, we made our way to The Haunted Mansion, where the expressions on Sara's & Jess's faces pretty much sum up the day.
Unfortunately, I couldn't be there to join in the fun. I had apparently been planted outside of The Haunted Mansion.
Or had I? I may or may not have staged my own death to sneak away to Cinderella Castle with A-Flizzle. Muwahaha!
Here we are at another classic Disney coaster, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
What do you get when you mix a bunch of PWD's with 3D Disney cartoons? D-Coaster Day!
We gave Dumbo diabetes! Well, we at least gave him a bunch of people WITH diabetes. Who wants a flying elephant with a low blood sugar anyway?
A fairytale ending to D-Coaster Day right where we started it...in front of Cinderella Castle.
Thank you to all of the folks that came out for D-Coaster Day. It truly means the world to me that you joined in on this crazy idea, and made it such a huge success. I hope you had as magical of a D-Coaster Day as I did!
Diabetically Speaking 
Oh man, it was so much fun being with you all there! I totally miss all of you. Be safe until we meet again!
Yay, Martin! Great recap! And thanks so much for planning all the fun-ness that was D-Coaster Day. And for generally being awesome!
Can’t wait till next year! 🙂
This is so sweet, and I so wish I could’ve been there to share in the fun! Hope we have future D-Coaster Days and the stars align. Looks like a great time, and the photos are absolutely awesome. Thanks so much for sharing this, and just for creating such a fun time. You rule!
A wonderful day filled with fun and new friends! Thanks for planning the day and introducing me to all the wonderful people in the DOC–so proud of you, your writing and your event planning capabilities. Ace Space Cadet OUT!
Thank you so much for all of the planning and coordinating that went into this year’s D-Coaster Day – we’re doing this every year, right? 🙂
Dude! I didn’t know about D-Coaster Day! We were totes at magic kingdom on the same day! Maybe we crossed paths unknowingly! If you do it again next year, sign us up! 😀 Love the pics!
Thanks so much for coordinating D-Coaster Day! It was a great way to kick off FFL!
Martin, D-Coaster Day was AWESOME, even for those of us who didn’t ride a single coaster. (Unless Thunder Mountain counts – in which case, go me!!) Thank you so so much for arranging it. It was a great way to kick off the week and Pete and I had a blast!