Diabetes Association
There are many Diabetes Associations, often linked to particular countries,
which offer support to diabetes sufferers and their families as well as funding
research into this health condition.
In the UK www.diabetes.org.uk is
the largest support association offering information and advice to diabetics
and their supporters. Day, weekend and week long activities are organised to
allow those with diabetes to mix with others who have the condition. In addition,
information lectures are given for the diabetic and their family members. Diabetes
UK funds research into this health condition and offers information to its
members on up to date discoveries and new theories through its website and
information leaflets.
The American Diabetes Association can be found at www.diabetes.org.
Offering all manner of support, including diet plans and recipes, this association
- along with the others mentioned here - is responsible for financing a significant
amount of research into diabetes.
Diabetics in Canada are supported by www.diabetes.ca .
Support, advice and information are available through the association together
with the opportunity to assist with fundraising to finance research into this
health condition.
A brief search on the internet will locate the Diabetes Association for every
country – with places such as the USA even having associations linked
to particular states.
Diabetes Associations make it possible for diabetics and their families to
get the help and support they need, outside of overstretched national health
systems. Although some health systems offer specialist diabetic clinics, the
generalised budget cuts that seem to be prevalent throughout the world have
impacted these facilities. Places tend now to be limited or not available at
all.
A diabetes diagnosis can be terrifying and the fear is brought about through
a lack of real understanding about this condition. Once sufferers gain knowledge – with
the assistance of the Diabetes Associations – the fear diminishes and
they are able to get on with their lives.
The associations are all registered charities raising millions of dollars
and pounds to fund up to the minute research into diabetes – which appears
to be increasing in prevalence in direct correlation to the increase in incidence
of obesity in the western world.
The associations offer support telephone lines, information brochures and
web pages, and support events for diabetics to obtain the information they
need – when they need it.
So often, when a diagnosis of diabetes is handed out by a doctor, the patient
is too shocked to be able to absorb the information given. Sometimes, patients
are simply unable to understand the medical terminology used by doctors. The
Diabetes Associations often act as a bridge – deciphering medical speak
in order that the man on the street can have a better understanding about his
condition. They fulfil an important role for those who are newly diagnosed
with diabetes whose need for information is enormous.
Many Diabetes Associations offer members a discussion forum over the internet
or some other kind of mutual support system. This is an incredibly valuable
facility as there is nothing quite like being able to talk to a fellow sufferer – someone
who understands what it is like to be a diabetic. There is comfort to be gained,
especially for those who have been newly diagnosed, in discovering that life
does go on for those with diabetes.
