What does #DiabetesFamily mean to you?

[Diabetes UK]

This World Diabetes Day we’re celebrating everyone who makes life that little bit easier every day.

We're talking about how important it is to have support around you when you’re living with diabetes. Perhaps that's a family member, a friend or even the stranger on the train who recognised you were having a hypo.

What does #DiabetesFamily mean to you? Who is your #DiabetesHero and how have they helped you?
Maybe your #DiabetesHero actually someone you know with diabetes?

 

[Robin]

My grown up daughter is as good as having a hypo assistance dog around! She notices I’m hypo the minute I start tripping over my words, and says 'Mum, do you need a fruit pastille? And she’ll make me stop and test if we are out, when I’d probably think, OK, let’s get out of this shop, or I can make it through the check out whatever, first.
She also spreads the word about living with diabetes. I was very touched this morning when she told me she’d put a post on her horsy instagram account about the fact that I ride and deal with my diabetes.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqKPOFIlY6L/

 

[PhoebeC]

My 7 year old is mine.

Nobody else I know personally gets it, or I feel even cares.

My grandmother admitted last night that she wouldn't know what to do with a hypo. I have had it over 10 years and she's been told numerous times. She also told me last night that they have found the cure 🙄, in Africa. In her words 'They take some blood from the person, mix it in a pipet, add a formula and then reinject it and they are cured'. I was speechless!

 

[CathyB]

My daughter is my hero, from the day I was diagnosed she joined my research, read as much as she could, found recipe ideas and even made a few for me, she encouraged and cajoled me into a routine, she comes to my review appointments and asks any questions and has now joined me on a low carb diet, without her I most certainly would have struggled 🙄

 

[WHT]

Diabetes family = Diabetes UK forum

 

[KARNAK]

Spot on @WHT, without this forum I would be MFI`d, flat packed😱.

 

[PhoebeC]

Spot on @WHT, without this forum I would be MFI`d, flat packed😱.

Obviously all of you too!

 

[Stitch147]

Outside of my diabetes family on here. My other half is great and keeps an eye on me when we're out and about. I also get support from friends but I don't think they "get it" all the time.

 

[Northerner]

For me it is the DOC - the Diabetes Online Community 🙂 I have learned practically everything I know about diabetes and managing it from the online community - far more than I have ever learned from my various healthcare people. So, just what have I learned...?

Basal, bolus, MDI, pancreas, pen and pump,
That lipohypertrophy is a way of saying ‘lump’,
A plethora of ‘-opathies’ affecting eyes and feet,
That there’s no carbs to talk about in any type of meat,
And macula, that’s vernacular for the bit that helps me see
The thirty one gauge needle on the pen in front of me…
And how does all that glucose get in each and every cell,
And answering the question of just how does Lantus smell?
That cake is not forbidden, and some chocolate is OK,
Accepting there’s no cure as yet, and ‘it’ won’t go away,
But what I’ve learned beyond all this, a priceless thing for me,
Is I don’t need to feel alone – I have the D.O.C!

 

[Carolg]

Being able to have a rant, typing and crying furiously then delete before posting. Asking daft questions and getting sensible answers

 

[Janey5]

Its taken nearly four years for my OH 'to get it' and now is being supportive but I did find it lonely at the start. I did a lot of research and luckily I have a good Diabetes Nurse I can chat too. Its all so confusing at the start, still is somewhat now. I have other members of my extended family with Type 2 but they seem to 'brush it under the carpet' and pretend its not happening, as they order another slice of cake! I can't even look at a slice of cake without my numbers shooting up. Glad to have met up with you all.

 

[PhoebeC]

Its taken nearly four years for my OH 'to get it' and now is being supportive but I did find it lonely at the start. I did a lot of research and luckily I have a good Diabetes Nurse I can chat too. Its all so confusing at the start, still is somewhat now. I have other members of my extended family with Type 2 but they seem to 'brush it under the carpet' and pretend its not happening, as they order another slice of cake! I can't even look at a slice of cake without my numbers shooting up. Glad to have met up with you all.

I don’t know if my OH gets it. I have always been very independent and managed quite well on my own so I don’t think people realise I need support with it, it’s hard to ask for help sometimes.
It can be so lonely but we are always here x

 

[Bronco Billy]

My 7 year old is mine.

She also told me last night that they have found the cure 🙄, in Africa. In her words 'They take some blood from the person, mix it in a pipet, add a formula and then reinject it and they are cured'. I was speechless!

😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱

 

[Janey5]

I don’t know if my OH gets it. I have always been very independent and managed quite well on my own so I don’t think people realise I need support with it, it’s hard to ask for help sometimes.
It can be so lonely but we are always here x

That's it, when you've been independent, people get used to seeing you coping with whatever life throws at us, and don't realise you may wish for a little support.

Good to be here.

 

[Charle2911]

For me it is one of my good friends. She has a nut allergy so really understands how quickly situations can change and has been known to work out that I am hypo before I have!