Health Advocate
Gráinne Flynn
I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1993. I am a diabetes event organiser, a health advocate, speaker and a diabetes blogger.
Since volunteering with Diabetes Ireland in 2007, I helped set up Diabetes Support Groups in Clare and organise Diabetes Community & Information Events as well as advocating for better health services for people with diabetes in Ireland.
My blog, BloodSugarTrampoline.com is a combination of her personal diary about living with diabetes in Ireland and sharing information about the health services available.
Schedule Appointment
All estimates are free and flexible according to materials and scheduling.
Patient Expert
As a person with diabetes, I did not truly begin to navigate the Irish health system until 2005 and quickly learned that I had to “work” the system in order to make it work for me.
I facilitate a patient support community in Clare and moderate and participating in the Diabetes Online Community #DOC #IreDOC, through which I have learned so much about living with my diabetes by listening to the experiences of others like me but also in my volunteering as an activist with Diabetes Ireland.
My views and opinions are often sought by companies and I volunteer on the following organisations:
National Blood Transfusion Advisory Group
DSMA Diabetes Self Management Alliance Conference organizing committee
HSE Service User Focus Group Panel
Photo credit David Coleman Photography
Health Advocate
I have been involved in diabetes advocacy since 2010 with Diabetes Ireland lobbying local and national public representatives to highlight the need for improved diabetes services.
Photo credit Fennel Photography
Speaker
As a speaker, I share my experience of living with diabetes, the benefits of diabetes technology, access to technology, the importance of the support of other people with diabetes and self management education.
Photo credit Barbara Hackett & Pam Kavanagh
Event Organiser
Since setting up diabetes support groups in Clare, I have organised many information events locally and regionally for Diabetes Ireland’s Clare branch. I am also a founding member of a national community group and conference called Thriveabetes. Since 2015, we have organised five family conferences.
Blood Sugar Trampoline Blog
Featured
About Me
MY NAME IS Gráinne
I was diagnosed with diabetes since 1993, as a 20 year old student living away from home. It turned my entire world upside down but once I found a good medical team, good support at home and support from others like me my diabetes became less threatening.
I share my life with diabetes to help others and I advocate passionately about the inequalities in access to diabetes care in Ireland.
There are lots of people on social media doing their bit for diabetes awareness, and this is fantastic. However, raising awareness seems to be a big buzzword these days, but what does that really mean, and how do we raise awareness of something effectively? Should I do it by sharing a random image on my Facebook feed that doesn’t tell any of my friends anything at all? Or should I use my social media to share information?