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!
![Space Mountain Space Mountain](https://i0.wp.com/diabeticallyspeaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7050013-300x225.jpg)
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.
![Amanda on Buzz Lightyear Ride Amanda on Buzz Lightyear Ride](https://i0.wp.com/diabeticallyspeaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7050015-300x225.jpg)
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.
![Me & Stitch in Tomorrowland Me & Stitch in Tomorrowland](https://i0.wp.com/diabeticallyspeaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7050022-300x225.jpg)
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.
![D-Coaster Day - Sara & Jess at The Haunted Mansion D-Coaster Day - Sara & Jess at The Haunted Mansion](https://i0.wp.com/diabeticallyspeaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7050018-300x225.jpg)
Next, we made our way to The Haunted Mansion, where the expressions on Sara's & Jess's faces pretty much sum up the day.
![R.I.P. Martin R.I.P. Martin](https://i0.wp.com/diabeticallyspeaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7050016-300x225.jpg)
Unfortunately, I couldn't be there to join in the fun. I had apparently been planted outside of The Haunted Mansion.
![A-Flizzle & me at Cinderella's Castle A-Flizzle & me at Cinderella's Castle](https://i0.wp.com/diabeticallyspeaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7050020-225x300.jpg)
Or had I? I may or may not have staged my own death to sneak away to Cinderella Castle with A-Flizzle. Muwahaha!
![Dumbo Dumbo](https://i0.wp.com/diabeticallyspeaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7050025-300x225.jpg)
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?
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!