Who are you?

Hi, I'm Lukas (42) from Czech Republic. Although I have background in philosophy and drums, I am active rather in T1D community for more than 5 years. When I met the T1D for the first time, to coincide with my 20th birthday, I refused to accept it. Many years of fighting and pushing back and forth followed, from which I usually walked away as a loser, unexpectedly. The results were dismal. In 2017, I met AAPS and the community around it and my life literally changed.

I have turned T1D into a hobby, a partner (in Czech "diabetes" is translated as feminine noun) who I (have to) live in the same household with, and I want to have the best relationship with her. And only then did things start to work incredibly well for us. Very soon I started to pay it back to community, helping with translations, educations, presentations and tech talks (PaciMed, Diaktiv, etc.). With a group of T1D friends around Diakobraz and Czech NS provider we help patients and parents with AAPS, CGMs, watches, settings and overall diabetes management on daily basis.

Can you tell us something special about you that not so many people know?

Many people do not know even Lukáš Trčka have TIR below 100 % from time to time 😉

What were the biggest challenges you faced with your DIY closed-loop journey?

The biggest challenge was to get started. To overcome the fear of IT-related content - but every DIY looper becomes IT specialist at some time. I like to be prepared - so I have read the whole wiki before the first repo clone. For half a year I used AAPS in open loop mode and with virtual pump, with BG meter permanently connected with cable to the phone (clunky NS uploader and many damaged USB ports) and made all recommended changes manually on an unsupported pump – but the results were impressive.

Over time, I figured out how things and my diabetes work and the numbers improved quickly. I was also lucky to get to the endo who didn't worry about what I was using and how, she was supportive and interested in the results more than equipment. I soon became an exemplary patient helping other endos in the region with DIY people. In parallel with that I voluntarily started to be a beta user giving feedback and trying all different pumps, apps and CGMs before their official release dates.

I started with AMA algo back in 2017, soon switched to SMB, then DynISF (that entirely replaced all my automations). In the meantime, I tested several experimental UAM branches (AIMI, Tsunami, Boost, AutoISF, EatingNow) and for quite some time now I use AutoISF with Activity monitor in FCL-ish mode.

Can you tell us about your diabetes journey and what led you to open source looping?

I was driven to DIY by frustration with existing commercial solutions that didn't allow the best possible compensation, or didn't allow to connect CGM to the watch or bike computer.

In Czech Republic we didn't have any reimbursed pumps that communicated with Loop before, so as an Android user I logically ended up with AAPS. Luckily the father of AAPS himself is from the same country and we first met in 2017 at a weekend AAPS workshop, which gave me more knowledge and useful information than years on the internet. From that moment I am in contact with the community and the devs every day.

What are the biggest benefits you've experienced with open source looping?

• Better sleep (the very first thing you noticed after the switch – how bad your sleep was before and you did not realize).
• Ability to use different CGMs and pumps without losing features or the entire ecosystem.
• The life of non-diabetic person.
• As mentioned before, I am not passive victim of T1D, but active partner, co-creator and her parent/tamer at the same time.

Have you faced any major issues with your open source loop setup? How did you solve them?

I would not say major, but over the time (and with HW/SW changes and failures) there were plenty of minor ones that non-experienced user or parent sees as giant. But the good news is you as a T1D person have indefinite number of attempts to solve it and do better every other day. Most of them have simple solutions – get more information and ask more experienced fellow loopers who are patient enough.

What's your advice for beginners and those struggling with control?

The loop itself is not a magic wand or set-n-forget solution of all your struggles. But it can turn into very capable co-pilot and buddy that get your back covered. The most important thing is your attitude and mindset:

• Know YOUR diabetes.
• Knowledge is power. Educate yourself.
• Avoid manual corrections, do not be overmotivated.
• Turn one button at a time and do not use buttons you are not familiar with.
• Search for patterns, learn from your mistakes and do not repeat them.
• Re-evaluate and re-check your settings regularly.
• Watch your IOB closely (before meals, before activities, after wake-up).
• Have a backup solution ready, always.
• Resist the urge to make changes based on single event.
• Do not bolus over your carb threshold.
• When switching from pens or „dumb“ pumps, rethink your DIA and try to not overcompensate lows.
• Quality of life is just as important as good glucose control.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Ten years from now, I'd like to be at least as happy as I am today. I'd be grateful for more reliable CGMs and even faster insulins.

Who are you?

I'm Kelvin, and I've been living with type 1 diabetes for over two decades now. My parents are from Suriname, but I was born and raised in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. I enjoy being creative in different forms—through words, imagination, visual arts, and dance. I have a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, but after graduating, I became a medical doctor.

Can you tell us something special about you that not many people know?

I like to dance a specific partner dance called Urban Kiz.

What were the biggest challenges you faced before using a closed-loop system?

I used to work evening and night shifts, which really threw me off balance. I would struggle for days afterward to get things back on track. I've never been a very scheduled eater—and still find it difficult—so that was always a weak spot, especially combined with the shifts.

Can you tell us about your diabetes journey and what led you to open-source looping?

I started experimenting with coding during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. There wasn't much else to do, and it seemed like an interesting way to spend my free time. That new hobby led me to discover open-source looping in 2021. I was amazed by how much of a positive impact it had on my life—all thanks to the hard work of software developers who contributed to creating open-source solutions. As a result, I transitioned from working in healthcare to health tech, and I've been loving it ever since.

What are the biggest benefits you've experienced with open-source looping?

I sleep better, I feel better, and I'm able to go for 10km runs (and longer) without having to worry about my diabetes.

Have you faced any major issues with your open-source loop setup? How did you solve them?

Yes, in the first couple of weeks, my blood sugars were all over the place, and my HbA1c actually got worse. That was because I was used to MDI and had to get used to a lot of things all at once—a CGM, pump, infusion sets, understanding the algorithm, adjusting basals, etc. I just kept going because I saw the system's potential, and after a while, I understood how everything worked. Also, Hylke helped a lot in finding my way through the jungle of information online.

What's your advice for someone struggling with their open-source loop settings?

Take it step by step and be patient. Hard work pays off.

Where do you see the future of diabetes in 10 years?

I believe diabetes will be a fully solved digital problem. With the right combination of software, hardware, an online community, and if needed a coach, it'll take very little effort to achieve 100% time in tight range. Unlike the current situation, the solution should also be easily accessible to people who aren't tech-savvy or who lack the financial means to obtain the commercial equipment.

Who are you?

From a young age, I was always drawn to deep, reflective thinking. My imagination was vivid, and I was a bit of a loner—content to lose myself for hours in wonder, detached from others. That had its pros and cons.

At 18, I was diagnosed with diabetes. Back then, I had just started my pre-training to become a soldier in the Dutch Army. My first blood glucose reading was 22.3 mmol/L, and just like that, I was ushered into the grinder—the same one every type 1 diabetic has to go through.

Those first few years were tough. Acceptance didn't come easily. I still remember my first hypo—I was convinced I was going to die. For the first decade, I relied on injections and struggled to achieve stable control. I didn't take my sugars seriously at all, and my BG levels were, frankly, a disaster. It wasn't until I was about 26 that I got my first pump. Then, at 30 (now eight years ago), I started researching DIY closed-loop systems.

It took me months to grasp the basics, which is why I tell people I've been looping for eight years now. And honestly? It's the best thing that's ever happened to my life with diabetes.

By profession, I'm an AI engineer, with extensive experience designing, building, and implementing software and cloud solutions—both on the business and technical sides. My driving force in life is to alleviate or even solve human suffering, and that's where I derive my sense of purpose.

Can you tell us something special about you that not so many people know?

At heart, I'm a recluse—more of a farmer than an IT guy. Working with living, growing things feels like breathing for my soul, and I experience it almost as a spiritual practice. This "spiritual" element is the foundation of everything I am.

What were the biggest challenges you faced with your DIY closed-loop journey?

Early on, I turned too many knobs at once. My initial assumption was: This will solve my health struggles (poor control) without much effort. My technical knowledge will make it easy—just tweak the right settings, and we're done.

But reality demanded something else: I had to understand my body and behavior much better. Looping taught me more about how my body works, and that's what ultimately led to better control. Sure, I still have struggles—but it doesn't have to be perfect. Every body and mind is different. Along the way, I've conquered fears and learned patience.

For most of my looping journey, I stuck with the old algorithm (OpenAPS AMA, circa 2017) because SMB (Super Micro Bolusing) completely threw me off. Now, years later, I use SMB—but sometimes still revert to AMA for periods.

Can you tell us about your diabetes journey and what led you to open source looping?

Most of my story is already covered above. My ex-wife was the one who first pointed out that commercial closed-loop systems existed—but were expensive. I thought: Surely, there's a cheaper, open-source way. And so, my research began. It took a while before I had everything in place to build my own system.

What are the biggest benefits you've experienced with open source looping?

In short: My quality of life has improved dramatically.

• I sleep better.
• I can push harder in sports.
• I'm less affected by my own shortcomings (forgetfulness, overworking).

Have you faced any major issues with your open source loop setup? How did you solve them?

There were plenty. Yes, I'm technically skilled, but building a loop is a complex beast. Many problems arose, but most were solved by asking fellow loopers on social media—the rest came down to persistence.

What's your advice for beginners and those struggling with control?

It's a context-dependent question—every situation I've seen is different. So, the basics are:

• Ask experienced loopers for help.
• Be patient—and don't be afraid to experiment.
• Expect changes in carb ratios and insulin sensitivity as you loop.
• Make adjustments one at a time, not all at once.
• Educate yourself. There are no cheat codes in life.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

By then, I hope to have hacked together an artificial pancreas—and to have helped many others do the same.

Diabetes Nurse educator

Who are you?

I'm Vincent, a diabetes nurse educator for almost 2 years now here in the Philippines. Where we do diabetes education, basic nutrition and insulin instructions.

Can you tell us something special about you that not so many people know?

I am a trainer in a non profit organization called JCI, where we conduct community help, do trainings, conduct business and make young professionals be good leaders and citizens in their respective community. I also like to sell stuff, i sell condos, cars, food. I also love to cook.

What's the most rewarding part of helping people with diabetes through your work?

Educating patients about diabetes is really rewarding especially when they can follow what you taught them and when they go back to the clinic their laboratory results and lifestyles improve. It's also a big help especially when I'm doing medical missions in the community.

What have you learned about diabetes and open-source Looping since joining the team?

Open-source looping is really not that practiced here in our country not until doctor Kelvin introduced me to it. I do believe that open-source looping helps people manage their diabetes.

Where do you see the future of diabetes over 10 years?

That Diabetes will be treated as a serious matter. Here in the Philippines a lot of our clients take it for granted, they don't check their sugar regularly. I'm also looking forward for an accessible diabetes managements, more flexible prices for the devices so that everyone can manage their sugars like how easy for everyone to get their blood pressures.

Who are you?

I'm Redmer Nauta, a passionate software developer and dog walker.

What's the most rewarding part of helping people with diabetes through your work?

One of my inspirations for working for OSC is: "Healthy people are happy people." In other words, one of my passions is to deliver better health to people.

What have you learned about diabetes and open source looping since joining the team?

I've seen how much effort it takes for people with diabetes to take their health under their own control. It sickens me to see how many loops one has to go through when taking an alternative route for better health. (No puns intended)

Where do you see the future of diabetes over 10 years?

I see a future where people can easily set up a looping system which they benefit from health-wise and thus mood-wise!

Who are you?

I'm Corne Gabriels, 50 years old, living with MODY-type diabetes for 25 years. In daily life, I work as a data architect and I'm a passionate data enthusiast. I'm driven to use data not only in business but also to help manage and improve health.

Can you tell us something special about you that not so many people know?

I love camping, and for the past 12 years, my partner and I have been caring for our wonderful foster daughter.

What were the biggest challenges you faced before using a closed-loop system?

I didn't face many challenges, but my biggest issue is my severe insulin resistance. Managing that properly remains a key challenge, even with the closed-loop system.

Can you tell us about your diabetes journey and what led you to open source looping?

I've been living with diabetes for about 25 years. Early on, it became clear I had an unusual form of the condition with extreme insulin resistance. There's still uncertainty about the exact type — because I'm not slim, I was quickly labeled as type 2.

But after trying everything from weight loss and intensive exercise to intravenous insulin therapy, it turned out that reversing diabetes through lifestyle alone wasn't the solution for me.

After trying many different approaches, my new pump supplier recommended I explore Looping — and that turned out to be a workable and effective option.

What are the biggest benefits you've experienced with open source looping?

The biggest benefits have been a significant improvement in both my HbA1c and my overall quality of life.

Have you faced any major issues with your open source loop setup? How did you solve them?

I haven't experienced major issues, mainly because I'm an experienced IT professional and have been very hands-on with managing my own diabetes for many years.

What's your advice for someone struggling with their open source loop settings?

Start slowly, take small steps, and make sure to carefully read the open source looping documentation.

Don't try to set everything up all at once — manage your expectations and adjust them as you go.

Where do you see the future of diabetes over 10 years?

I see two major directions:

• The development of cell growth technologies to regenerate insulin-producing cells
• The digital pancreas — combining AI with increasingly compact and efficient hardware