Health News and Information

No one can learn even the basics of diabetes overnight. Taking command of your diabetes is a process that takes several weeks or months to learn and years to refine. It is important to learn to walk before you start running. If you are unsure about aspects of the basic knowledge I have assumed you know, do not be afraid to ask. The father of one of our diabetic patients is a teacher. He tells his son and his pupils: ‘No question is ever silly if it has to be a question.’ If you have got into a muddle with some aspect of your diabetes it is often helpful to go back to the beginning and work it out step by step. Sometimes when one is learning, or studying something, it helps to watch someone else going through the learning process and see the steps they have to take. Ben’s story is of a young man just beginning to take command of his diabetes. Does any of it sound familiar to you? What advice would you give him from your experience of diabetes?

Join your local diabetic association

It is well worth joining your national association and its local branch. They produce magazines full of information not only of practical use, but also about recent research and new advances. The association may be able to help you with specific problems, such as advising on insurance or helping to find a particular piece of equipment. They run courses and vacations for people of all ages with diabetes. Some people say, ‘Why should I join an association full of diabetics? I live in the non-diabetic world; I do not want to emphasize my condition.’

The point is that diabetics can do a lot to help each other and can provide the impetus for research into their condition, and help to raise money to fund it. You do not have to go to meetings unless you want to, but it is worth joining one of the associations just for the information service and magazines it provides.

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DIABETES