Where to Send Them?
Thursday, August 5, 2010 at 10:33AM Being a computer geek has its ups and downs. I used to be the guy who only built his computers, never bought one. I was the automatic “go-to tech support” for my entire family and most of my friends.
It’s cool that people trust me, know my knowledge, and think I am good enough of a resource to send their friends to me when they have a computer problem.
When it comes to diabetes I too am the resident “go-to” for family and friends to send people who are newly diagnosed or that have D questions. 99% of the time the people they tell me about are type 2’s but that is okay. I don’t mind and I typically tell them upfront about type 1 and 2, the differences, the similarities, and how I might be able to help them.
Like I always say, “If I can help, I will.”
Last Sunday at church a friend of mine told me she was diagnosed with T2. She was nervous, scared, and confused about stuff. She kept referring to me as having the “bad kind” and that she should be happy she only has to take pills. I told her that diabetes is not easy for anyone. It requires constant 24 hour management and it’s a lot of work but you can do it.
She seemed to doubt her ability to change her eating habits and seemed already so defeated.
I asked her if she was on the internet at all to which she said, “no.” I told her that she should ask her doctor or check with a local hospital to see if there is a support group she can join. I told her how much the OC has helped me and that peer support makes you feel less alone and is helpful when you have questions.
I told her that she can call me any time about anything and if I can help I will. She appreciated that and through some tears she thanked me and gave me a hug.
As I left I thought, “Did I do the right thing?” Should I find out about this stuff locally so when people who are not online ask about who to talk to I have a definitive answer? If some did say they were online where would I send them? Tu Diabetes? Diabetes Daily? dLife? I really didn’t know.
Would I overwhelm her if I suggested to hop on Twitter or Facebook and join in the fun?
It seems like something I should know. Like a tool I should keep with me so I can hand it off to people when they ask or when they are newly diagnosed.
What do you do? When people who are newly diagnosed come to you, where do you send them? How do you assist? Do you just provide your own support or none at all?
Reader Comments (7)
George, I love you to death for your willingness to help folks.
From my own perspective, as haivng been a newbie within the time of social media, is that one of the big forums such as TuDiabetes or Diabetes Daily. I think I was on DD within a week or so of diagnosis. Ther, I found information, support, perspective, and friends. I learned the differences between the types and even got a little sense of what life with T1 is like.
I originally got on Twitter without knowing much about the DOC beyond DD. I followed Kerri, because I read her blog, and slowly started following the people she interacted with (like you!), and then the people THEY interacted with. Eventually, I found my own voice and in due course started blogging.
I have yet to have someone come to me who didn't use the internet. I would recommend TCOYD to someone who wasn't online (and those who are). I would also recommend they read The Diabetes Solution, and maybe a few other diabetes books.
I usually point people to my blog but I quickly tell them. Don't feel like you HAVE to read my blog, but on the left hand side I have a blog roll. Start looking through those and find the ones you would enjoy reading. And on most of the ones that I put up, they have their own blog roll. If you take the time to look you are bound to find one or two that will suit you. Then I point them to TU and DD. Other than that you would have to have something printed out to hand people!
I think anytime you offer help it's a good thing.
Great post and desire to want to help, George! I've asked those same questions myself. From my perspective, I usually refer people to the JDRF, ADA, or TuDiabetes for the initial points of contact in order to find out more locally and in the bigger DOC world. That's usually how I start, just to not overwhelm but also give them places that they can tap into so much more that's out there.
For me, I tend to go towards recommending the internet and websites, forums, etc. I started online with dLife after discovering how antiquated the ideas and practices the doctors in my local area had for treating diabetes. I eventually came to discover blogs outside of dLife and other websites, and have kind of just started to find my own voice as well.
But, then again, I am more in a rural area than a metropolis-type area... so internet seems like the logical choice for me and am not sure what I would do for those who aren't familiar with the internet. I would probably be like you and recommend contacting their doctor for possible support groups or the local hospitals, etc.
I think it is awesome that you want to help others so much! But at some point in the game, they need to do their own research as well. So don't feel bad by just advising them to go talk with their doctors, etc. if they're not wanting to, or aren't familiar with, being on the internet. You're a great resource already for them just by telling them that because some times people are just so overwhelmed with everything that they don't think of things that might be considered obvious to us.
Hope that helps!
Call me "old school", but when I was diagnosed, I went to the public library and read every book I could find on diabetes, having been diagnosed T2 at the time. Then when I found a book I thought was really valuable, I bought it. After all that reading, I moved on to the internet and also found Kerri first and then just branched out from there. Later on my diagnosis was changed to T1. I've been involved with some studies at the International Diabetes Center and have gotten tons of good information by working closely with the study coordinators and doctors there.
I don't think it's possible to get too much information. I enjoy reading and seem to digest and retain better from the written word.
Thanks for all you do to help people, George. Bless You!
Great post G-Money, and great comments. It is a question I've wrestled with too.
I worry about the same things - overwhelming them, or steering them wrong.
I'm thankful to have seen some of the great comments, and thankful for you posting about this.