DAFNE in their own words
Dale
Jane
Rita
Darren
DAFNE Graduate
“I want to thank you both from the bottom of my heart, I was sceptical of the DAFNE program and what it actually entailed but found the course super interesting, it taught me a lot and challenged my own assumptions – the protein part super helpful, explained why my protein bar for breakfast in the past had sugars going up before lunch.
I loved the course, its structure. I truly think the content in some form should be offered up to all diabetics.
Once again thank you for your time and leading the course, it was a great experience and you both made it feel less like being in school and dragged to the teacher’s office.”
David
DAFNE Graduate
“I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes on 9th December 2001 and I have to admit it knocked me sideways and I really struggled. After a year I was recommended and offered a DAFNE course. I was nervous at first but after completing the course and meeting other patients I was brimming with confidence. The course itself was very well presented and easy to follow, overall a fantastic learning experience. The DAFNE nurses were very understanding, patient and helpful.
DAFNE has changed my life for the better and I am extremely grateful. For the past 20+ years I have been able to lead a very normal lifestyle and I am now able to eat the foods I want, when I want. I maintain a healthy diet including my 5 a day and drinking plenty of water.
I would highly recommend any type 1 diabetic patient to do the course.”
Dhruti
DAFNE Graduate
“One of the biggest positives I took from DAFNE was learning how carbohydrate counting works. It gave me the freedom to eat without rigid restrictions, because I finally understood how the food I was eating affected my blood glucose levels. The course gave me control over my diabetes rather than the other way around. Before DAFNE, I would sometimes skip meals just to avoid high blood sugars or spend hours confused about sudden spikes, especially from complex carbs. After the course, I understood the patterns and how to manage them.
DAFNE has had a huge impact on my life. I now feel empowered to make informed choices about food, timing, and insulin. I don’t feel limited anymore – I can eat when I want, knowing how to adjust my insulin properly. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about freedom, confidence, and peace of mind.
If someone is thinking about doing the DAFNE course, my advice would be: take it seriously and really pay attention, especially when it comes to understanding different types of carbohydrates. That knowledge makes a world of difference. The more you engage with the course, the more you’ll get out of it – and it truly can be life-changing.”
Ian
DAFNE Graduate
“I had had Type 1diabetes for some 30 years when I was referred to a DAFNE course. In all those years, I had had no formal education to treat what is a very complex condition. I had been ‘jamming’ it for 30years. (Just about managing it.)
In all my years as a diabetic, I had never met other people with diabetes where I could discuss how we handled our diabetes, until DAFNE.
The course was an eye-opener and gave me the tools to manage my diabetes. Having proper guidelines to control my insulin management gave me much more confidence in dealing with my condition rather than just winging it.”
Martin
DAFNE Graduate
“When DAFNE was mentioned to me at the diabetic clinic in the early 2000s, I dismissed it as irrelevant to me. My HbA1c was good, my general health was fine, and I thought I was managing my condition quite well. But the clinic persisted and finally, with a week to spare in July, I enrolled on a DAFNE course in 2010. It was a revelation. DAFNE gave order, where there had been chaos. It provided a structure instead of guesswork, and it supplied knowledge, and a stepwise approach to the management of diabetes, which enabled me to take better control of what is considered by the NHS to be a chronic illness.
Visits to the diabetic clinic, at best, provide fifteen minutes with a diabetic specialist. Participating in a DAFNE course, provides the opportunity of being with at least two diabetic specialists for five days. And everything to better manage your condition is covered, from carb-counting to sick day rules, and of course, complications which can arise from poor management of diabetes. You can ask whatever you like. You can discuss what has happened in the past, what is happening now, and what could happen in the future with newfound knowledge, and better management of your condition.
An invaluable benefit of DAFNE, is talking with other type 1 diabetics who are enrolled on the course. The difficulties which they encounter managing their condition, and how they resolve these problems. The advantage of discussing with others, is that you realise you are not the only diabetic in the UK; there are others, too! Not only will you gain knowledge from how they solve these problems, but reassurance that there are solutions to difficulties you might be experiencing, too. If you are offered a place on a DAFNE course – take it. Put off the holiday, delay the birthday celebrations, postpone Christmas. Just do it. Doing DAFNE will increase your knowledge of diabetes, support a better management of the condition, and give you peace of mind that you are doing the right things, in the right order, and for the best reasons.”
John
DAFNE Graduate
My life was difficult back then in1973 with those finger pricks 2 times daily, meals on time, counting carb’s, it wasn’t easy, I had to work at it. Yet, I persevered as I wanted to get on with my life, I needed to control it, not the other way round. I had my wife, two daughters, I had a job I needed to keep, a life to lead and enjoy, golf to play.
DAFNE made life a great deal easier to cope with. I certainly learned so much, and l really don’t think from memory l was an easy pupil!
DAFNE changed my life, giving me a purpose to enjoy and control my life also always on the end of a phone, or email.
Thank You Kings College for all you have done for me, and are still doing.”
Janice
DAFNE Graduate
“We have just completed our very first DAFNE course, and I feel a deep sense of fulfilment as an educator. Hearing from participants about the positive changes they have made since starting the program — from improved diabetes management to feeling more in control of their condition — has been truly rewarding. Their gratitude reaffirmed my commitment to this work and reminded me why I do what I do. Knowing that I have contributed, even in a small way, to improving someone’s quality of life was incredibly moving”.”25 years is a long time ago, I had been T1 for 33 years (diagnosed age16). I was willing to take part as it sounded like a good way to aid better control.
I think the key positive was to gain better control. I have used the DAFNE principles ever since and my control has been better since, it has had a big boost in the last few years due to CGM and pump use and in the last 6 months HCL .
I did a refresher course 10 yrs ago .
I would encourage anyone thinking of taking a DAFNE course to definitely go for it , they would not only learn a great deal but also meet others and exchange experiences and tips on how to cope with their diabetes.”
