Moms’ Night Out Aims to Support Caregivers of People with Type 1 Diabetes
There’s no doubt that managing type 1 diabetes can be difficult for both people with diabetes and their caregivers.
From outsiders who don’t understand the disease to constant worry about blood-sugar levels, the journey can be exhausting for everyone.
Burnout affects both caregivers and people with diabetes. Because of the intricacies of diabetes, many caregivers enjoy interacting with people who understand it.
Mom’s Night Out—Support for Caregivers of People with Type 1 Diabetes
That’s why there are tools and support groups accessible, including an event called Moms’ Night Out!
While diabetes care frequently requires a team of individuals—including parents, school nurses and relatives—moms may often face the brunt of the obligation.
Moms’ Night Out aims to provide mothers with a break from their daily routine, meet other moms who understand what they are going through and discover new ways to care for children with type 1 diabetes.
What is Type 1 Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic, autoimmune disease where the pancreas is no longer able to produce insulin due to damaged beta cells.
Without insulin, bodies can’t use the sugar in the blood stream as energy, which leads to high blood-sugar levels.
Common symptoms of type 1 diabetes include:
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Rapid weight loss
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Fruity-smelling breath.
Type 1 diabetes is neither curable nor preventable, and studies indicate that it is caused by a genetic predisposition and an environmental trigger.
The History of Moms’ Night Out
Moms’ Night Out originally took place in January of 2023. However, organizers expanded it after receiving feedback from moms across the United States.
Liz Kroger, a mom who attended the event, commented “This must be how our kids feel at diabetes camp! So awesome to be surrounded by ‘our people’ who just get it without explanation.”
Stacey Simms is the organizer of Moms’ Night Out. Since her son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2006, Simms says she has been to dozens of conferences and events.
“Now I’ve taken the best elements from those events and created a brand-new experience,” says Simms. “We have lots of diabetes technology for people to see and learn about, stress-relieving social time and speakers who will get attendees energized and ready to face the challenges of parenting a child with diabetes.”
According to Simms, event organizers recognize the value of offering a support system and access to services for moms of children with type 1 diabetes.
Moms’ Night Out attempts to provide both!
In the upcoming months, three cities will hold Moms’ Night Out:
- The first one will be in Chicago, Il. from April 12-13, 2024.
- The second will be held in Denver, Co. in September 2024.
- The third will take place in Philadelphia, Pa. in October 2024.
If you plan on attending, we recommend that you register as soon as possible.
You can also sign up to get informational emails here.
