Lorraine Pitman Australian Diabetes Society and the Australian Diabetes Educators Association Annual Scientific Meeting 2014

Lorraine Pitman

In 2006, Lorraine along with Women's and Children's Hospital Adelaide, formed a consumer reference group 'Family Voices - type 1 diabetes'. Recently changing its name to mirror its vision and scope to Type 1 Voice. Throughout her career Lorraine has worked within the area of Corporate and Gov-ernment relationship management. Her strong focus on professional and consumer collaboration has carved out a unique and respectful platform in which valuable insight has been instrumental in initiating mutually beneficial engagements whilst enhancing the delivery of sustainable outcomes. Type 1 Voice is a not-for-profit, community-based organisation committed to increas-ing the broader communities awareness about type 1 diabetes and changing the ingrained mindset and approach to chronic condition management. Research and first-hand experience indicates the general lack of understanding of type 1 diabetes by employers, teachers, friends and sometimes even families can be the reason people with type 1 diabetes turn their back on the considered manage-ment of their condition. Such decisions can lead to physical and emotional impacts upon themselves, their families and increasingly the public health system. It is the belief of Type 1 Voice that by providing insight and education to the entire community about living with and managing this chronic condition their health and psychosocial complications may be reduced or even eliminated.