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Living with diabetes looks very different for everyone, despite the shared struggles of having a diagnosis that requires your attention continuously throughout the day, everyday! Sometimes, we may all live in our own bubbles and may not realise or take into consideration other perspectives that would very much help us with our own journeys too!
As part of our new community collaborative project, we thought it could be refreshing to start discussions around global issues and how it may affect diabetes management and access.
We've brought on one of our brand ambassadors, Thapi, who is passionate about raising awareness and how culture has its own challenges with the implications of diabetes/unheard voices behind the diagnosis. We asked her 8 questions to facilitate in her sharing her unique perspective and how her diabetes story has evolved over time!
General Overview of Thapi's Video
1. What do you think is one of the biggest obstacles that people living with diabetes face in your current country of residence?
"...Getting the correct nutrition for each person in South Africa. A lot of people are struggling with dietary requirements, as South Africa is a middle income country. It becomes difficult when we are told not to eat certain things, but we live off staple foods. Incorporating traditional food has become difficult..."
2. Do you think it's important to address cultural differences and how it plays a role in someone's diabetes management and access?
3. For you personally, what has been the most difficult part of your diabetes journey?
"...Which lasted for about 3 years during my high school period. My current obstacles is trying to stay within a certain target for my range. I do try, but it's not as easy as it may seem..."
4. Why are you passionate about sharing your diabetes journey and playing a part in advocating for awareness?
"... Through sharing my story, I hope someone can feel that they're not alone and know that they can just come in the form of a peer to peer support. This has helped shape me to who I am today and allowed me to meet other people living with diabetes. By sharing, it's played a role in helping me learn to speak up and to be comfortable doing so because i know that there are people who struggle to speak up about it. With diabetes, it's common to feel like you have to hide it. At the moment, diabetes is probably the first thing you'll know about me, especially on my social media and I am content about it being that way..."
5. If you could change how diabetes was supported globally, what would you hope to see?
"...It's always great to meet another person wearing CGM or a pump because it's like: wow you also have diabetes! It's a great conversation starter too. Even people who don't have diabetes can start to learn more about it and have conversations around it by asking questions freely. I think it's a great educational tool on the long-term basis..."
6. What is something you think is done quite well in terms of supporting diabetes and people managing diabetes?
"...I think it does depend on which group you do choose to be a part of. You have to make sure that you're a part of a community where you feel like those people are your people. With the online space now, it makes it super enjoyable and easy to connect with people in your country but also globally! It's great and I am here for it..."
7. If I could redefine diabetes to my younger self how would I do so?
"...A road cannot always be straight. With roads, there are unexpected turns and bumps. You have to get comfortable with these unexpected things that happen on the road as the journey does change as you keep going. Diabetes is something that is constantly changing and you learn from every single day..."
"...That's the other thing i would tell my younger self. Diabetes can drain you but be kinder to yourself because you deserve to love yourself even with the diagnosis..."
8. Do you have any advice or tips for people wanting to educate or navigate around improving the access to diabetes resources?
In a group, you have more ideas to bring to the table. You can make someone change a policy just because of that!
Diabetes is ever-changing so doing research I believe is definitely the foundation!
Interested in how exercise impacts diabetes management? Check out these popular articles on our blog:
- How to Safely Exercise with Diabetes
- The Best Workouts for Blood Sugar Control
- Managing Blood Sugar Levels During and After Exercise
- Exercise Tips for People with Type 1 Diabetes
Explore our blog for more tips and resources on diabetes and exercise.
Managing diabetes can be challenging, but having a strong support system is crucial for maintaining good health. A supportive community plays a vital role in helping people with diabetes manage their condition more effectively. Whether it’s friends, family, or healthcare professionals, a network of support can provide encouragement, advice, and emotional assistance, making the day-to-day management of diabetes easier.
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Having access to practical tools and emotional support ensures that people managing diabetes feel less isolated and more in control of their health. From blood glucose monitoring to insulin therapy, a strong support system helps individuals stay focused on achieving their health goals while improving their quality of life. Joining a diabetes support community can make all the difference in managing your condition with confidence and success.
