Monday, July 9, 2012

Lead the Way

Sometimes it is unfortunate information on diabetes is lacking. Many people have no idea what they are dealing with even when they are diagnosed with diabetes not to mention the lack of knowledge within the community itself. Diabetes seems to be a 'big deal' however, many are confused when it comes down to what diabetes entails.

As I work more and more with the diabetes community both type 1 and type 2 diabetics - I am finding that knowledge isn't as readily available as I thought it was. It could be that my generation always has access to internet therefore, is more likely to research or reach out, but either way, the message that there is support is not as freely expressed to those that need it most.

When you're diagnosed with diabetes I believe you should be given all the right tools.  You should be given a diabetic education team including a dietician and you should have access to all the programs including those that pertain to funding.  I believe that nurses and doctors should talk about online diabetes communities as well as smaller ones that get together locally.  I believe in ensuring that the person living with diabetes is ready to go on living their life with diabetes without having any doubt in themselves.

I used to think it was just the people who had no connection to diabetes that didn't know what diabetes was all about.   That's far from the truth, there are people living with diabetes that do not even know what type of diabetes they have.  There are people living with diabetes that do not know where to get a meter from.  There are people living with diabetes that are struggling daily because they feel like they have no one helping them.

This is saddening because I know that there are resources out there, but after talking to a colleague of mine I realized that they is a lot of resources; however, only in desperate times do people go searching from answers. If you're getting by with a pamphlet of knowledge about your diabetes, then fine.  It is when you're blood sugars start soaring or crashing that you realize that Diabetes Basics 101 isn't good enough anymore.

I enjoy helping others out with their diabetes. Of course I am not a medical professional, but I am sure all could agree that with some good first hand experience of being diabetic, you're a pretty good resource.  Often times I will speak to my grandparents about better management.  Giving your perspective, advice or help can be rewarding not only for yourself, but for another person living with diabetes.

Kayla

1 comment:

  1. I can relate to this. For the year and a half my husband and I dated he was living on general diabetes training he got 15 years ago. He got thought he knew enough about it, and I thought he knew how to manage his diabetes, until his body just started going wonky and everything he thought he knee changed.

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