This Retreat Program was designed by two Registered Nurses (type 1), a chef/author (type 1) and a psychotherapist (type 2 )with diabetes for women with diabetes to integrate extraordinary self-care techniques in their day to day lives. We are wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and grandmothers who have honed the skill of caring for others. Be it in the workplace or at home, we cook nutritious meals, care physically, emotionally and financially for our loved ones and yet, often, find little time to care deeply for ourselves.
If you are a woman with diabetes who has struggled to remember to test your blood sugar or take your insulin or medication, gain adequate rest or exercise, eat well, feel overwhelmed or misunderstood, this Self-Care Retreat was designed specifically for you. Research shows that stress elevates blood sugar and makes it harder to manage. Our Retreats focus on learning useful ways to manage stress and manage your blood sugar as well as the other myriad elements of the challenge of diabetes self care.
Our Retreats are unique. All of our Presenters have diabetes! We are deeply aware of the specific challenges that women with diabetes face each and every day. We have some special tricks and techniques up our lacy sleeves.
Connie Hanham-Cain MSN, RN, CDE
Registered Nurse and Certified Diabetes Educator - Type1
Connie has extensive experience as a holistic behavioral health nurse and CDE working with diverse populations of all ages. Her background includes lifelong study and practice of dance and body awareness disciplines, meditation and spiritual awareness techniques. At the Retreats, she teaches classes in diabetes topics, developing body awareness, advanced duration diabetes as well as energy medicine and dance.
Connie is a contributing author to the book My Sweet Life: Successful Women with Diabetes. She has lived with T1 diabetes since childhood.
Janet Ware Doucette, MA, LMHC
Behavioral Health Specialist- Type 2
Janet is a psychotherapist and behavioral medicine specialist who offers clinical biofeedback, hypnotherapy, and mindfulness based psychotherapy for individuals with medical conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. She is a Men Cho Reiki Master teacher as well. Janet teaches classes in stress management, biofeedback, meditation as medicine and energy medicine at the Retreats.
Janet has lived with Type 2 Diabetes for 15 years.
Judith Jones-Ambrosini
Chef, Author, Athlete - Type 1
Judith has lived an active life traveling throughout the world with T1 diabetes for over fifty years. She is a professional chef, published diabetes journalist, recipient of a "Lilly For Life" award for journalism and is the author of the book The Sisterhood of Diabetes which is now available at Amazon.com.
Judith teaches cooking classes, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and movement exercises at the Retreats.
Gita Patel MS, RD, CLT, CDE
Dietician, Certified Diabetes Educator - Type 2
Gita is a dietician and Certified Diabetes Educator. She has one simple goal in life: Helping people to feed their health with tasty and colorful foods that are simple, easy and quick to prepare. Her philosophy and approach to creative healthy cooking relies on both her traditional Indian background combined with modern nutritional science. As an antidote to our busy, stressful lifestyles, food is health. Gita is passionate about promoting the medicinal qualities of fresh plants within delicious meals and snacks. Her book Blending Science with Spices is available at Amazon and her website
Ann Marie Di Nino BA, MS
Creative Artist - Type 2
Ann Marie Di Nino has a B.A. in fine arts and an M.S. in public service administration, concentrating in arts administration. She works with elders in assisted living and has an extensive background in health care settings. Ann Marie conducts Art Therapy and Creative Expression Classes at the Retreats.
She has lived with Type 2 Diabetes for over 20 years.
Melanie Masdea-Dignum LICSW, LCSW, ACHt
Behavioral Health Therapist -
Type 2
Melanie has worked in an integrative functional medicine environment as a behavioral therapist, helping individuals and couples with lifestyle change through the facilitation of attitudinal shifts and habit modification. Through the development of highly individualized action plans, she has encouraged individuals who are often experiencing the challenges of a delicate health profile. She uses a multitude of techniques to teach people how to jumpstart a sustainable wellness intention.
She has lived with Type 2 Diabetes for over 20 years.