The True Weight of Diabetes, panel event

The True Weight of Diabetes, panel event with Heather Jackson, Alex Durussel-Baker and Jean Langford

Join us for the panel event "The True Weight of Diabetes," a candid discussion about the mental toll of managing an invisible condition like Type 1 Diabetes.

This session will feature personal insights from Heather Jackson, a diabetes advocate, trainee psychotherapist and a mother to a son diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes shortly after their 3rd birtdhay. Adding their voice to this discussion is Alex Durussel-Baker, Founder of Diabetes By Design diagnosed at the age of 30 as well as diabetes advocate and trainee dietician, Jean Langford, diagnosed at 11.

While tackling a serious topic, the atmosphere will be informal and supportive, aimed at fostering understanding and kindness towards oneself. Hosted by Anna Gormezano, this panel is designed to celebrate resilience, offer coping strategies, and remind attendees that they are not alone in their experiences.

This session is for the people living with and alongside a chronic condition so we encourage people to come along with their loved ones for a relaxed and friendly event.

This event is free but tickets are limited.

This event is part of the DbyD fest: Spread over 10 days, this free exhibition, event series, and product launch is designed to be a dynamic exploration of what it means to live and thrive with a chronic condition. Learn more

Panel Speakers

Heather Jackson
Heather is a business owner, trainee Psychotherapist and mother to an 8-year-old son with type 1 diabetes. Heather writes beautifully about her experience and is a powerful voice in the Type 1 diabetes community.

Alex Durussel-Baker
Alex is the founder of Diabetes By Design. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 30 and struggling to cope with the mental strain of a widely misunderstood disease, she created dozens of diabetes-inspired posters to entice people into learning about the condition and break down barriers with those she had been shutting out.

Jean Langford
Jean Langford, originally from Ireland, has lived with type 1 diabetes for 18 years.What started off as blogging about living with diabetes, the struggles and isolation she felt with it, led her into a career of advocacy to work in spaces where she could bridge the gaps she felt in her care over the years. Now retraining to be a dietitian in Edinburgh, Jean also works and volunteers with a number of diabetes organisations as a diabetes advocacy consultant.Her professional experience includes #dedoc°, coordinating the Youth Leadership Programme for the International Diabetes Federation of Europe and being a Student rep for the British Dietetic Association Diabetes Specialist Group. Jean's work and educational pursuits in the diabetes eco-system are driven by her commitment to supporting others with diabetes.

This panel is hosted by Anna Gormezano Marks a Visual Artist & Creative Consultant, and founder of FromNow.studio.