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What has the forum done for you, and how might it help more people?

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Northerner

Northerner

Admin (Retired)
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi, looking for some feedback 🙂 I've been asked to put together a report about the forum and how it has helped people (or otherwise - we're not immune from criticism!) come to terms with their diabetes and learn to manage it well, and also perhaps other ways the forum has been a source of support, comfort, enlightenment, infuriation. Also, how might we reach more people?

All comments are welcome, but please observe the forum guidelines if you feel your views might be controversial, and be respectful of the views and sensitivities of others 🙂
 
Hi Alan

For me this forum has helped me accept my diabetes a hell of a lot more then if I did not have this place in my life.one of the biggest mis truth I had about diabetes is that it can stop you doing what you want to do and it holds you back,well after some of the things I've seen members do on here that went straight out the window.

Finally this place as changed my character as a person I'm more confident,outgoing and for me the best thing I get out of my house and meet some of you wonderful people.
 
Hi,

The best thing about this forum is the support and inspiration I have received from fellow copers of diabetes. I also have an added bonus of getting support with depression too. The knowledge I have gained from this forum is priceless. I understand more a bout diabetes than previously, and I am still learning. I thoroughly recommend it.
 
Hi,

Joining this forum has been one of the best things i've done! The support / help is fantastic, always knowing that whatever questions you ask there is always someone here to help you. I've been diabetic for 20 years and basically been left over these years to struggle on, but since joining the forum it's where i have learned (or think i've learned, lol) a heck of a lot about diabetes.

Like rustee2011 says i too can thoroughly recommend it.
 
I think this forum has something that others lack and that is the kindness shown to members when they have problems, diabetes related or not. You realise that you are not alone and it helps to listen to other people's experiences too.
I had good control before I came here and am amazed that some members have not been given much education regarding their diabetes, whatever their type of diabetes. This forum teaches them things that they should have been told at diagnosis.
The one criticism I would give, it is the members not the forum, that you can give a detailed answer and it is sometimes seems to be ignored by the original poster. I never understand this. Not everyone who replies can be right all the time but even a simple acknowledgement would be fine.
I also like the diversity of the boards which means a bit of light relief when things are tough.
 
For me, this forum is a constant source of support. I may not post often, but I'm always looking through threads, and looking back through old threads to answer any questions I have. I was warmly welcomed, and have got to know a number of people through the boards. I don't know how I would have got through diagnosis and insulin omission without this forum pointing me in the right direction 🙂

Vicki 🙂
xxx
 
I have been a recent newcomer to the site, and it has taken me a while to really appreciate it but now I do!

Previously I had no issues, psychologically or physically, with being diabetic but since becoming pregnant in September, and even more recently going onto the pump, it has suddenly thrown whole new elements into being diabetic. Due to this have been logging on increasingly more and more.

I have found it a huge support to be able to vent my frustrations or simply pick the brains of people who have either been there or are currently going through the same as me. My friends in real life are supportive in their own way, but 'talking' to someone who can directly relate and understand is priceless! 🙂
 
The forum has many things that sets it aside from others, it is friendly, helpful, informative and above all a nice place to visit. I like the idea that most subjects are unrelated to diabetes and we can chat about the tv or other things affecting our personal lives.
 
The collective info from all members is priceless. (HCP's do not have the knowledge or the time to keep up to date due to being overworked) Moral support and friendship is also thrown in for good measure on the forum. 🙂
 
Apart from support and advice the biggie is 'reassurance' - there have been numerous times when I've felt overwelmed; confused and even scared but having someone at the end of another keyboard brings peace of mind..
 
I think when first diagnosed we just dont take it all in, even from the best of medics, and to come here and ask any question, helps to ease that initial confusion and bewilderment.

We can a little later, see that we are in good company and not on our own, and we still require answers, but dont have the opportunity for full time medical support, so here provides that missing gap. Some one on here can advise or suggest, as they have been there before us, even if that means "see your GP etc", its all a reassurance as to the situation we are in.

After time, and a little more education, we can if we wish, delve a bit deeper by taking advantage of the experience of others on the forum, not just reading books or articles, but asking specific in depth questions to get a more rounded view of what we are diagnosed with. This is ongoing I believe.

The forum is a great place to also ensure we are getting the necessary professional treatment; tests and examinations etc., something we may not be aware of otherwise.

The comfort the above gives is invaluable. In addition, this forum is a little more personal than others, but only if we wish it to be so. That is it is friendly and offers more than just reassurance, but is not intrusive. Its somewhere to have a moan too .😉, or indeed make some good friends as many have done and meet up.

Finally, its a great place to spend a little time just chatting, or offering some little support to others, which I find very rewarding, as not only is it helpful to others hopefully, it proves to me that I am coming to terms with it all and progressing.

What more can I say.
 
When I joined, as an old timer who knew it all, I discovered pretty quickly that the world had moved on without me and I knew very little.

For me, it's a means of replacing myths with reality and promoting positive action.

I echo what Cherrypie said about new members not always taking advice or returning to thank posters. But I suspect many newbies will post on a few forums (how many are there?) and will only return to the one that gives them the answer they want.
Very often the truth is uncomfortable or inconvenient and can be daunting.

Some of the closer collaboration with DUK has addressed a few issues about reaching out.🙂

Rob
 
The forum has given me lots of support and loads of information, it is a place I can come and ask questions and someone will help me.

I think we need more advertising, to this end I have a poster in my front window and have handed out flyers and put things up at in a number of places. Not sure how else to reach more people.
 
I've found this the most friendly forum that I've visited - others are not always so supportive. It's been lovely to talk with other parents but also with people with diabetes, who have so much helpful experience that they're willing to share. It makes you feel more confident about trying things and a lot less alone 🙂 I also loved meeting forum members in person in Oxford a few months back! HCPs don't always have the time (or dare I say it, the expertise) to chew over your particular issues. Here you get useful insights which may not be professional advice, but you can get a good picture of what worked for other people and think about whether it might apply in your case.
 
My diabetes was well underway when I found the forum, however joining has been one of the best things I have done regarding my Diabetes............

Its good to get to know other diabetics and to hear about both the good and bad that goes on with their conditions. This has increased my knowledge and understanding of the condition and has ultimately resulted in me being much more well equipped to manage my condition better.

The opportunity also to advise and help others is something we are all thankful for on diabetes support.....

I really would not even consider looking for other online diabetic communities as this is where its all happening.........:D
 
I think the empathy from fellow diabetics is great as they understand what others are going through and have probably been there themselves at one time or another.

Also the members on this forum a not judgemental like alot of people on other forums and tend to be much friendlier and sympathetic.
 
PhilT said:
Also the members on this forum a not judgemental like alot of people on other forums and tend to be much friendlier and sympathetic.
Click to expand...

Do you think that's another symptom of diabetes? Friendlier people ?:D
 
Northerner said:
Hi, looking for some feedback 🙂 I've been asked to put together a report about the forum and how it has helped people (or otherwise - we're not immune from criticism!) come to terms with their diabetes and learn to manage it well, and also perhaps other ways the forum has been a source of support, comfort, enlightenment, infuriation. Also, how might we reach more people?
Click to expand...

This forum is a life-saver and I believe a fundamental part of me self-managing my diabetes.

There are people always around and available to offer support, whenever you need it. Also as important for me, is the opportunity to try and help others as well, which having never known anyone else diabetic before here, I'd not been able to do.

This forum keeps my diabetes at the forefront of my mind...money can't buy that. It's made me realise I do not have to go through this alone, and I'm not the only one - until this forum I suffered 100% alone with my diabetes, and it can be a very, very lonely place.

This forum has taught me more than I ever knew about diabetes in my 17 years of diabetes beforehand. Before it was - eat, inject. That was it. No testing, no carb-counting, no dose adjustments. I didn't even inject for every meal. When I meet other diabetics now, they are impressed with my knowledge, and I have to say, that is 100% down to things I have learnt from this forum. It has helped me focus on what it is I need to be doing to manage MY diabetes. It is also a great place to rant and let off steam when things seem too much - no-one is alone and there's plenty of people ready and willing to pick you back up. It's great to be able to have a moan and know there's people who really do 'get it'. That's priceless.

Diabetes aside, this forum has a great group of people on here, and even if you want to talk about things not related to your diabetes, there's always someone who wants to share.

Diabetes doesn't seem such a dark place on here, and the people here even make me feel happy for it at times too. I would never be in contact with such wondeful people if it wasn't for my diabetes.

I hope that's all useful Alan. I would say this needs more advertising or at the very least, more pushing from doctors, DSNs, consultants etc as I only found this by chance. My diabetes team had never heard of it either when I mentioned it to them. Spreading the word has to come from the top. Obviously a forum is not for everyone, but it's great for people to at least know that it's here.

I do suspect that this forum has literally saved my life, or at the very least, saved me from long-term complications later in life. I can never repay that debt, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
 
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