Hey guys,
I'm writing an article about diabetes education and technology, particularly for type 1s. I'm wondering what other people's experiences of diagnosis are, particularly as it pertains to your access to information. I live in Ontario, so I have always had access to an endo, a diabetes educator, and a dietician specializing in diabetes (though admittedly I have not always taken advantage of this access). I was a teenager when I was diagnosed, so I was covered by my parents' work insurance plans for all supplies (thank goodness for union jobs). Additionally, my mother is a type 1 diabetic as well, so I was familiar with the condition before I was diagnosed. Overall, I think my experience, while overwhelming and scary, was probably more manageable than most.
I'm wondering what it was like for people with less familiarity and perhaps less access to official channels of info. Who taught you about things like insulin–carb ratios, for example? How frequently did you see your healthcare providers after diagnosis? Was diabetes an unexpected financial expense for you to navigate? What were your A1Cs like? Were you ever hospitalized? Do you feel more knowledgeable now than you did then, and if so, how did you gain that knowledge? Really any information you could give me would be helpful.
If you could include which state/province you live in, that would also help me out. Thanks!
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