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Diabetes awareness session

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Archiesdream

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I have to attend a diabetes awareness session tomorrow and next Tuesday so 2 three hour sessions, has anyone been on these sessions, due to my fear of people I am very nervous, I have tried to explain this but all I get back is "you will be OK".

I have had type 2 diabetes for about 12 years but only became insulin dependent just over a year ago.
 
Try not to worry Brian, the other people there will be in pretty much the same boat as you. Just be yourself, it isn't an exam or anything so don't feel you have to know anything. Most places offer some sort of diabetes education and the quality of what is provided can vary enormously, so it's difficult to say what you might expect. There will probably be some discussion of carbohydrates and how to recognise them, plus some discussion of possible complications and how best to avoid them (although this is just speculation based on my own experience). I am sure that once the course gets under way you will feel much more relaxed. Let us know how things go 🙂
 
diabetes course "Desmond"

"I have to attend a diabetes awareness session tomorrow and next Tuesday so 2 three hour sessions, has anyone been on these sessions, due to my fear of people I am very nervous. . ."

Archiesdream - Why not ask if you can take a family member or friend along ? I think they will say yes.
Ive just been on a course, of a single 6 hour day, because I was diagnosed type 2 ten weeks ago.
The young women nurses taking the course were very friendly and easy to get on with, one was (as her "day job") a dietician, the other does retinopathy, eye care for us diabetrics. There was also a young nurse, sitting in on the course as part of her training but not diabetic. There were only 5 of us diabetics, all type 2. Several had brought a friend, wife or just someone they wanted to be with.
We collected in a not hospital-y day room where we had a coffee machine no one could work. Those wanting coffee got tea or chocolate so that broke the ice! We all sat round a table and the girls (oops, Nurses) asked us each how long we'd had diabetes and if there was any particular question we wanted answered, then they took turns telling us a bit about diabetes, and how it can affect health if we don't take any trouble to prevent it. Diet, feet, eyes, weight, exercise, heart, kidneys were all covered so its a fair amount to take in but if you've had D for years you will know a lot of it already. We weren't expected to show we'd "learned" anything at all but we were all amused at setting out various foods in order of highest calories, then again in order of highest sugar/carb. These were often different and surprising - made quite a fun game.
All I can say, it wasn't intimidating and everyone was friendly and nice. Best of luck, I hope you find it helpful.
 
Ask some one you trust to go with you. The people who run the courses and sessions understand it is sometimes difficult to be in a room full of strangers.
 
Hi all,

Thank you for all your sound advice, everything went well but three hours just sit did do my legs a bit of trouble, and we have the same time slot next Tuesday, I was somewhat nervous first thing but all went as planned. We were asked what upset us most when we visited doctors or nurses or consultants.

I said pre judging someone without asking any questions, assumptions just by looking that you needed to do exercise or lose weight, or life style needed looking at. Most people I know who have diabetes or had a stroke or any long term condition know all this. And try their hardest to make things better. She did agreed that it goes on, but should not and wrong for them to do so.

Learnt that most things I can eat without fear, as long as in moderation, looking forward to next Tuesdays, once again thank you all for you help and encouragement.
 
Hi Brian, sorry I've only just seen this. Had a few things going on, have posted on "off the subject" I'm glad you went along - well done - that's really, really good. I think your contribution to the discussion would have found lots of agreement, a very good point. Glad you are now looking forward to the next session, let us know how it goes .x
 
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