It takes a village.

How often do we say that about life with diabetes? I know I say it all the time.

It doesn’t matter if you were diagnosed as a child or as an adult, diabetes is rarely a solitary health condition. While those of us whose beta cells actually decided to go AWOL are the ones physically affected by the condition, our loved ones are also part of our diabetes existence.

As someone who is surrounded by a village of loved ones – family, friends, neighbours, colleagues – I can’t ever state enough how important they are in my diabetes wellbeing. I am so grateful for their love and support. I love that they are there for me when it feels like diabetes is kicking my arse. I love how Aaron knows that when things are tough, all I need is him to look at me, nod and say ‘diabetes sucks’, hand me a cup of tea and hold my hand to make me feel better. I love it when our daughter displays her keen advocacy skills by talking about diabetes in the same way I do, using the language I use. And I love it when my loved ones celebrate the wins and successes and diaversaries alongside me.

The Australian Centre for Behavioural research in Diabetes (ACBRD), in collaboration with the NDSS, is currently looking for family members and friends of people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes to participate in some research to help them develop an information resource about how to support people living with diabetes. The resource will also focus on how loved ones can take care of themselves too.

To be eligible to participate you must meet the following criteria:

  • You are 18 years or older
  • You are either a family member or close friend of someone with diabetes (e.g. parent, sibling, spouse, best friend)
  • You live in Australia and are able to partake in a telephone interview, or meet with us in person in either North Melbourne or Geelong
  • You are able to read, write and speak English
  • You are available in early-mid June 2018

You will be thanked for your time and for providing your experiences with a $50 gift voucher.

If you are the loved one of someone with diabetes, thank you! And please consider taking part in the research for the development of this resource by contacting Caitlynn Ashton by email or phone (03) 9244 6668. (Please note, Caitlynn’s days of work are Monday-Wednesday.)

Celebrating my 20th diaversary with some of my village people.