What would you talk about?

[Flower]

If you were asked to give a talk about your diabetes- any subject or aspect- what would your talk be about?

Mine would be 'Be Aware and beware of complications' (working title!) - based on the complete lack of knowledge or access to knowledge I had on complications growing up pre internet. I was warned as a teenager to watch out for foot problems and eye problems when the worst I'd dealt with up to diagnosis was a blister on my toe and conjunctivitis. I couldn't imagine anything beyond that or that things could go so wrong at a young age.

The podium is yours! 🙂

 

[Ralph-YK]

Mine would be a moan about the lack of inclustion, information and support from medical people. & their dismissive attitude.
But mustn't grumble. They tell me off if I grumble.

 

[Lucylemonpip]

How you could kick yourself for not doing what you knew you should i.e not over-eating and not going on a diet, when you knew you should have. But, that’s all with hindsight and I don’t suppose I’d have done it anyway, even if I had known. So, now that I do and have the diagnosis and know how it felt to be disappointed in myself, I am trying my very best. Time will tell.

 

[AJLang]

Make the most of life. Look after the diabetes but don’t let it control you. Make sure you’re keeping enough control to minimise complications but don’t keep worrying about complications otherwise the worry will take over your life. That’s the lesson I’ve learnt the hard way.

 

[nonethewiser]

Everything AJLang just mentioned.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sometimes I’ve been given topics - I’ve been asked to give talks about using apps and social media (including flagging up this lovely place!), about my experience of life with diabetes, about the development of NICE guidelines (I was a lay member of the 2015 committee for T1 in adults), about specific pieces of technology and various other things.

The last time I was given a completely free rein, I spoke to a room full of HCPs about diabetes appointments, and my thoughts/experiences about why these sometimes didn’t go so well. Which is an odd outcome, because really between the specialist knowledge of brilliant, dedicated HCPs; and the applied, practical expertise of people living with their own unique diabetes you should have the ‘dream team’ to formulate the perfect individualised plan.

 

[zoombapup]

I'd talk about blood glucose monitoring I guess.

 

[Toucan]

My theme, for type 2 would be ‘Beat the genetics and win through’

On the premise that there are likely to be genetic influences that influence susceptibility to Type 2. However, by focusing on finding the effective personal diet and life style solution, an individual has a chance of winning through and achieving remission.

 

[Amity Island]

I was a lay member

Mike, brought a smile to my day that!🙂

So whilst the "experts" steer the big ships, the fisherman who spend their days trawling the seas are called lay members! lol.

 

[Tee G]

I would talk about how difficult it is and how unhelpful it is when people, (who supposedly know whats going on with you) but who are feeling 'sorry for you' to keep trying to shove things under your nose that you know you're not supposed to have or are trying to limit. Its happened a few times to me in the last 6 months. They say, 'Oh go on, one wont hurt' etc etc And i have to tell you I was handed a large box of 'Hotel low sugar' chocolates at Xmas, and my jaw was on the floor ! The lady who gave them to me said," Its Christmas and you have to have a treat at this time of year" --- errrhh no, i dont ! (I ate 2 dark chocolates and gave the rest to hubby. 😱

 

[Flower]

Thank you 🙂 An interesting line up of talks and carb counted food for thought 🙂

 

[Ljc]

Great thread.

I would talk about the complexities of T2 ,of how difficult it is to manage without the one tool that would really help us and how not providing a glucose meter to everyone who wishes to self test and explains how to use it to monitor how the various carbohydrates affect us so we can make informed choices and how this would save the nhs money in the long run.

I would also speak about t2s on insulin, . Many times I have received that look or had comments saying I must be a bad diabetic .
I would explain that some of us are not bad diabetics,
Some of us may have been misdiagnosed and have LADA .
Many have not been given the best or even any info on diet
Not all of us need shed loads of insulin
That for some of us T2 is progressive.
And to stop trying to shove round balls into square holes.

 

[Flower]

I want to hear your talk @Ljc , it sounds so interesting 🙂

 

[eggyg]

At first I thought, “ where do I start?” and was going to rant about the lack of understanding around Type 3c, but as I gave it more thought, I decided no one wanted to hear negative aspects of our condition, so I’ve decided I will set up an overhead projector and bore everyone instead with photos of my travels and my walks! We’ve got this condition for life, we need to accept it, we need to control IT and not the other way round and I want to show that life doesn’t stop because we’re diabetic. I will mention that spontaneity doesn’t play much of a part in it though!

 

[Flower]

I'm reserving my seat @eggyg , that sounds excellent

 

[Eddy Edson]

My talk would be targeted at people who put off going to see a doctor for aslong as possible - people like me!

If I'd been sensible I would have been diagnosed much earlier & I probably wouldn't now have a gammy leg and a minefield of microaneurysms in my eye. :self slap: