How a Community can Shape Your View while Living with Type 1
Community is essential to people, I mean, how else would we get things done? To define a community is to define a group of people who have a commonality. In our case, it is most likely T1D. We all go through similar things and share very much of the same emotions. As part of the community of type 1 diabetics, I feel the deep emotions that everyone who has t1d feels. I know the pain of ripping of a Dexcom or pump, and I know the pain of poking myself 7 times a day for insulin. We can understand that, but without others that understand that it is hard to find those moments that we are not completely exhausted, physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Exhausted? Find a Community!
Did you know that a Type 1 Diabetic has to make approximately 180-300 additional decisions every day. We are literally acting as a pancreas. Something that a normal person does not have to worry about. Imagine how exhausting it is with these 180-300 additional decisions per day. As a student myself (a senior in college) I also have the stress of taking 6 classes, a part-time job and 180 extra health decisions.
While having a community will not lessen the number of decisions we have to make, they sure help lighten the load they have on you. Many diabetics joke and make lively of our situation- I do too. It is our way of coping with this chronic illness. It brings light and joy back into our lives. With a community, there is a shift between the patient care to a familial care. It reframes some of the questions/stigma of type 1 diabetes by counteracting them with each other advocating for us and our friends.
Wisdom is Found within Communities:
Communities can offer wisdom. I feel like I have had Type 1 Diabetes forever, but it has only been 10 years (about half my life). I feel like I can offer some good tips and tricks for newer diabetics, while diabetics who have had it for even longer than I have can offer even more! That is the beauty of wisdom within community, is that it is specifically tailored to the specific commonality you may have.
Future thinking: Family
I am young, 21, but one day I hope to be a mom. I have fears, like many others, of how will I regulate my blood sugar to keep my baby safe? Or what if my baby is born as a diabetic? How will I handle that? All of these fears are valid and all of them are good questions. Within a community of type 1 diabetics, there are moms who are type 1 diabetics who have gone through everything I feel. They can offer even further help and stories that I would not find with someone who is not a diabetic or a mom.
Funny Creators:
Type 1 Diabetic Creators I have seen put their real emotions out there. They are relatable. They are funny, but they are also serious. Just like us all. I hope that I am able to do the same for you all.
Camps:
When I was first diagnosed at 12 years old, I saw all of these camps for kids with T1D. And how I wish that I took the courage to go to one. I believe these camps teach independence and fun outside of T1D. There are many medical professionals that understand T1D management, as well as the volunteers are most likely parents of type one diabetics or type one diabetics who may have used to go to these camps. They camps teach your kiddo or you how to manage diabetes in order to live better. A camp that seems great, here in the States, is DECA (Diabetes Education & Camping Association).
Facebook Communities:
On Facebook, there are numerous private and public groups that are for Type 1 Diabetics or loved ones of Diabetics. I am currently in “Type 1 Diabetes Memes” and have posted a funny meme, so you should definitely go check that page out. But a few other groups include: “Type 1 Diabetes Support and Awareness Group”, “Children with Type 1 diabetes support group for Kids” , “TYPE 1 PARENTS – Parents Of Children With Type 1 Diabetes”. These allow you to leave comments, post memes, questions, seek help, or just meet people.
Instagram Communities:
On Instagram, there are also numerous accounts for Type 1 Diabetes. Whether for daily management and education, technology and innovation, lifestyle and wellness, mental health and emotional support, advocacy and daily life or all of these. My blog will touch all of these but a few other Instagram accounts I would recommend you give a follow, besides my own, would be typeonetogether, diabe_tech, type1alexx, and addytayler_t1d. These touch on pretty much all of the topics I listed above.
YouTube Communities:
For YouTube, you can find a few really good channels that focus on lifestyle, innovation and mental health. @Breakthrough T1D, which used to be known as the JDRF, gives diabetics a voice and updates on a cure! @TypeOneTalks gives new ideas and tips to manage t1d. @Mary Comeau usually posts short videos of her changing pods or CGMs. And @Beyond Type 1 provides “global community”, pushes education and advocacy and progress for a cure.
If you liked this blog, I am sure you would enjoy checking out any of my social media platforms! You can find them at the top of my page! Thank you guys!
Peace
Gracie
https://gcestrategicconsulting.com/blog/reasons-to-join-communityhttps://health.osu.edu/health/mental-health/managing-diabetes-and-mental-health
