what can we as young people do as diabetics to put an end to it

[shellyj]

what do think we as young people do to help end diabetes i think we can speak up and help other who have just be told they are diabetic

[xMenace]

There are many ways people can help. We help a lot of people here at DF. We had 600 guests one day.

There are many local groups slowly taking up arms. Search out a support group and get involved.

[shutterbug]

Yes we can speak up.. but its hard for people without diabetes to understand. I think we should tell our near and dear ones about this condition and make them aware of this disease and consequences. Help them learn how to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Also there are lots of people out there with diabetes who have very poor or no control of this disease. I think its far more important to help them first.

[Tropical83]

I agree, it is very difficult for people without diabetes to understand what it's like. The people that live with you have a better idea of what is going on because they live with you, they see the ups/downs and they go through the struggle with you. But not everyone can understand. People that I've known for years still offer me food that I can't/won't have.

And there are people out there that have no clue on how to manage their diabetes, I am one of them. I just started re-learning and re-grouping and the support I have found here has helped a lot. Even though I don't personally know anyone, just being part of a group makes a difference, I think so anyway. Since I've started my low-carb diet I've gone down 1.5u on my basal rate, on Monday I was taking 17.8u/day on basal and now I'm at 15.6u/day, so maybe it's a bit more than 1.5u but I'm not hungry, I'm not starved, and my bloodsugars have been no higher than 143! :)

Thanks for the help!

[davef]

what do think we as young people do to help end diabetes i think we can speak up and help other who have just be told they are diabetic

You can also help educate your friends who are not diabetics so as to help dispel the common myths about diabetes, such as it being a persons fault that they develop diabetes, diabetics have eat special foods.

Good on you for wanting to shape the future!

[xMenace]

I've been nudging our health and safety committee to run a diabetes screening day once a year. it's tough because the young, active health committee members do not see diabetes as a problem. It is time for another nudge ;)

Example: Woodbridge News (http://www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us/WDBG_NEWS/diabetesscreenday.html)

[IrishJoe]

Be 'normal' (some chance !) and live regualr lives and show that we might be different but aren't invalids !