Social Group as a Source of Information

When someone is diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, it is like they are dropped into a vast and deep ocean and they have to learn how to swim for the first time..It is scary, confusing, daunting and all one wants at that moment, is for someone to throw a life vest at them. It is at this moment of diagnosis, where one can either feel like they're drowning or can feel like they're floating.l have always felt, and with experience, I can say for certain that it's the guidance and support given at this crucial moment that defines the outlook and confidence of an individual that has been diagnosed.What happens more often than not, due to the overburdened healthcare system, is that doctors get little to no time to explain what life with Type 1 Diabetes may look and feel like. Therefore, the consultations are clinical, concise and are one-sided with very little counselling.It is, therefore, that an unclear mind searches for alternatives, falls for fake news and is left in an unpleasant limbo.Consider this: What if, when someone is newly diagnosed, along with all the clinical guidelines and information, he or she is introduced to someone who has been living and thriving with the condition. I was diagnosed when I was 13, and I would have loved to have met someone my age that also had similar struggles and successes. I would have instantly felt less alone, less afraid and more confident.Now, this may not be always possible. Logistics and technicalities do get in the way - however, the idea of peer support is doable. Now, in India, we have several support groups in all regions and healthcare professionals should introduce newly diagnosed people to these groups to give them support and hope.A newly diagnosed family, along with this kind of support also needs access to quality Type 1 Diabetes education. It is not just enough giving insulin - unless the person knows what to do with it. It is in the early days - that the RIGHT kind of information and education is needed - with compassion, empathy and care to ensure that the person and family affected has a complete understanding of the technicalities and the mental support and strength to deal with what is coming.Today there are several sociaVpeer groups and communities who understand that not all children learn alike. Using the research of Dr Howard Gardner's multiple intelligence theory; high-quality education modules can be designed to cater to different learning styles. For example, for the linguistic and verbal learner (who learns by reading), a pocketbook filled with images and helpful illustrations would work best.For the kinaesthetic learner (who learns by doing), interactive games and activities would be helpful. Also, the availability of such materials in regional languages would make it easy to reach the unreached.As a community at large, we also need to be mindful about the messages we put out - in spoken as well as visual communication. The biggest example of this is failing to mention the 'type' of Diabetes. When a newly diagnosed person with Type 1 Diabetes suddenly sees a poster for 'reversal of Diabetes' without knowing that it is limited to Type 2 Diabetes, he or she may receive a misleading and potentially fatal message. The language we use when talking about Diabetes needs to be accurate, and while a slogan may seem catchy to hear, we need to ensure that it is factually correct. Let's not propagate clickbait on social media platforms for merely increasing the views while compromising on the science because words, be it in whichever language, matter.Living life with Type 1 Diabetes is difficult - but with enough education, attention and care, it can be made easier. Peer support, quality Type 1 Diabetes education, factual messages and awareness can act as a life vest and assist those living a life filled with highs and lows to learn how to swim in this new sea.I have personally never thought the work we do can be 'giving back' to the community, for we ARE the community. The people with lived experience are the ones that must rally together to support each other; because if not us, then who? And if not now, then when?Let us do our bit, for healthcare and education is a right, not a privilege to a select few.Ms Jazz Sethi is a professional dancer, choreographer, a Type 1 Diabetes survivor and the founder of Diabesties Foundation, Ahmedabad.

Social Group as a Source of Information

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