Consumer Representative Spotlight - Lisa Goldsworthy 
When Lisa’s daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D), her family’s way of life changed forever. Suddenly, insulin injections, blood glucose monitoring and carbohydrate counting became their new normal.
Right from the beginning, Lisa and her daughter decided to participate in research studies in the hope they could not only help their family, but thousands of other children and families also living with the life-threatening condition.
But after a couple of years, Lisa wanted to do more and have greater impact on T1D research by sharing her lived-experience. When the Centre started recruiting for Consumer Representatives for our national Community and Consumer Involvement Committee, Lisa eagerly put up her hand.
What led you to become a Consumer Representative and why?
Being a parent of a child living with T1D can be challenging. I wanted to connect with and advocate for others experiencing these challenges to help create change and a better-quality life for all families affected by the condition.
My role as a Consumer Representative with the Centre allows me to not only give back to the community by sharing my voice, it also allows me to be a part of exciting upcoming research and new developments within the T1D space.
What do you hope will come from being involved?
Although I began this journey with a goal of helping others, I have found I too have gained support within the community and a greater sense of the appreciation for all the professional teams working tirelessly to improve the lives of children living with type 1 diabetes.
What have you been involve in so far?
I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside global researchers and collaborators as a national committee member, I have represented the consumer voice as a SEED Funding Grant reviewer and attended the Centre’s Symposium last year. I have also had the opportunity to review documents that go out to families to make sure content and language are fit for purpose.
The Centre is very lucky to have Lisa as a Consumer Representative. Her passion and dedication to helping our researchers find new and better ways of managing T1D is definitely making a difference to our studies.
If you or someone you know would like to become a Consumer Representative and help make a difference, reach out to our Community Involvement Coordinator to find out more.