Koda Connection
Koda Connection Parents’ Group
Koda Connection is a T1D parent and caregiver educational and support program of Camp Ho Mita Koda. Every other month, we recruit an array of key voices to host a series of conversations: parents, health coaches, educators, dietitians, T1D doctors and nurses, and of course the CHMK summer camp crew.
We invite you to join us for an hour or two of camaraderie and support, even if you choose not to engage in the discussion. You do not have to be a Camp Ho Mita Koda participant in order to join us. For the foreseeable future, all meetings will be held via Zoom.
To join the Koda Connections mailing list and remain up-to-date on all offerings, please complete the Interest Form.
Upcoming Events

Dr. Jamie Wood is the Medical Director of Pediatric Diabetes at UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital where she holds the Mary Blossom Lee Chair in Pediatric Diabetes. She is also an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Case Western University School of Medicine. Dr. Wood is the Secretary General of the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes. Dr. Wood’s clinical and research interests are in the care of youth living with type 1 diabetes including diabetes technology, best practices, and advocacy. Dr. Wood has volunteered at diabetes camps across the county every summer for the last 21 years. Her first camp experience was at Camp HMK as a Rainbow Pediatric Resident in 2001. Dr. Wood returned to the Cleveland area in 2016 and is on the Camp HMK Medical Committee and Board.
January 19, 2023
6:30 – 8:00pm
Struggles and Triumphs
Amanda Steffens, Author
Recording:
https://youtu.be/bg_WGFvQioE

My name is Amanda Steffens and I was diagnosed at the age of 14 and was forced to grow up and accept that my life would be forever different. I’m thankful that I was 14 years old and could understand how to take care of myself. I was scared and went through “why me”, but I decided that I had 2 decisions. First was accepting my new life and doing what needed to be done to take care of myself and second was don’t take care of myself and suffering the repercussions. I obviously chose the first choice because next year will be my 30th year of living my life as a Type 1 Diabetic. The past 30 years, I have lived my life the same as I would’ve if I wasn’t Diabetic with just a few extra snacks and/or supplies nearby.
A life with Diabetes is not easy but it can still be a rewarding and fabulous journey.
March 15, 2023
6:30 – 8:00pm
Life With T1D: My Personal Journey
Sarah Bishop
Zoom Link:
Cancelled
May 10, 2023
6:30 – 8:00pm
Clinical Trial Participation
Paul McGuigan
Zoom Link: https://tinyurl.com/25tpyfry
Past EVENTS
January 13, 2022
6:30 – 8:00pm
Next Level Nutrition
Meredith Thivierge
Recording: https://tinyurl.com/5bae9eee

Meredith Thivierge, RD, CDCES, grew up in Baltimore Maryland. She attended Clemson University where she received a bachelor’s of science in Food Science (concentration in Nutrition). Meredith is currently working on getting her Master’s In Nutrition. She has been a pediatric diabetes dietitian at Johns Hopkins Hospital for over 10 years. Meredith loves that she gets to work with kids with diabetes and get to see them conquer diabetes!
March 10, 2022
6:30 – 8:00pm
Tech Update: New Tech and Products
Dr. Diana Isaacs
Recording:
https://youtu.be/LXfpZK8bKaQ

May 12, 2022
6:30 – 8:00pm
Diabetes Online Community
Greg and Kristina Dooley
Recording:
https://youtu.be/93eRPkdcklc

Greg & Kristina Dooley have been active in the type 1 diabetes community since 2012. On August 28th of that year one of their then 2-year-old triplets, Isabella, was diagnosed with T1D while the family was living in Mexico City. When Isa was diagnosed, the Dooleys made it their mission to make a difference by raising awareness and sharing their daughter’s story with anyone that would listen. They are contributing writers to several sites including Beyond Type 1 and T1 Everyday Magic and have been featured on several type 1 diabetes podcasts including Diabetes Connections, The Beta Cell Podcast, Diabetics Doing Things, and The Juicebox Podcast. They are active in the Diabetes Online Community (DOC) via their social network @inspiredbyisabella.