Conversation Map^® Success Stories

Howdy! I had the great pleasure of attending Taking Control of Your Diabetes Day in Santa Rosa CA on Saturday 2/12/11. I introduced the Diabetes Conversation Map to over 100 people w/ diabetes and a few people that care for them. There where even a few students with their teacher from Health Ed class!!!! I met a BEAUTIFUL Golden Retriever service dog that sniffs out Low blood glucose for his type one DM owner. That was so cool. I happen to love dogs so we really bonded. The Type one DMs that i met seemed angry that the "map" was geared towards type two DM. One gentleman just walked off angry. That was one low point, but overall, great time.

The Conversation Map is a uniquely powerful tool for diabetes self-management education. The Map excites enthusiasm and engenders high level of empowerment communication among clients with diabetes. It is one of the tools of self care engagement that truly actively engages most patients in self-care issues and challenges without inhibitions. Even very shy clients open up to uninhibited communication at the table of Conversation Map and engage in exciting and lively conversation with other clients. Conversation Map is unequivocally a useful tool for improving client's self-efficacy in self managing their diabetes.

The Conversation Maps encourage interaction between those living with diabetes every day, and result in learning how others cope and most of all they are not alone.

We laugh; we share; we cry; we learn!

The Conversation Map is a great educational tool that helps patients to share their stories about diabetes.

Yesterday both myself and Shara Theriot, R.D., L.D.N. used the maps to summarize all of the information that was shared for our Diabetic class. The participants LOVED using them because I feel that it is such a ice breaker for the patients to both discuss and share what they are going through being diabetic. I am so appreciative that the Conversation Maps are available to Diabetic Educators. Thank you Merck and ADA.

The conversation maps are a great conduit for participants to openly share their feelings. We will continue to use them!

It took me awhile after attending the conference...utilizing MAPS. Because to me it was more of an orientation as that of a training session. But have done Diabetes/other health classes, I decided to start and give it a try. Well, I'm glad that I did because it was a good experience for me and my 5 participants...left like we truly learned from each other. Some were knowledgeable while other weren't, so there was a balance. And, didn't have to use the spanish version because session was done in bilingual, here again a balance. It was fun, interactive and educational. Please note that I presented MAPS in three parts...because I didn't want to cut short the interest of the group. They returned again! I did two of the MAPS. Also used the flip chart. Currently, I'm giving other classes, but I'll again in June or July. I usally give classes on Thursdays for an hour or two.

I recently facilitated groups in mini Conversation Map sessions at the ADA Expo in Long Beach. People of all ages and walks of life joined these groups. It was remarkable to watch people who were complete strangers connect almost instantly as they shared their responses and stories. The camaraderie that developed amongst the groups was energizing. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience myself and feel confident that those who participated did as well.

I have greatly appreciated all the Conversation Map curriculum! I am on my fourth Conversation Map program at our facility and I absolutely love the teaching materials because they draw my participants into the discussion. The visuals are fantastic and participants remember what they've learned because they identify the diabetes information with the pictures on the map. I am thrilled with the new materials entitled "Conversation Starter Tools". They are so colorful and engaging for the participants. A great supplement to an already fabulous and effective diabetes teaching program. Thank you so much!