The Best Way To Help a Diabetic? For every diabetic, there's a different circumstance. Each diabetic will require different needs. A diabetic's needs can depend on a variety of things, i.e., medications, personality, and sometimes even our emotional state. No one diabetic is the same, regardless of the type of diabetes. For a few years now, I've been involved with the diabetic community (as well as being diabetic myself), and I think it's safe to say that for most of us, the best way to help a diabetic is to just simply ask, "How can I help"?

Speaking for myself, to "ASK" is a very important keyword. Some diabetics welcome unsolicited advice, and some diabetics despise it. To help a diabetic, is to understand the "invisible diabetic line" between your opinions, and a persons right to live their life. To ask, is to allow that diabetic, to have a choice as to whether or not, they'd like to receive your thoughts, instead of dealing with uninvited opinions. By asking, it also avoids risks of any developing tension, or unintentionally making the diabetic person feel less then competent.

Lastly, the best way to help a diabetic, is to become informed yourself, in order TO help. Read about diabetes as much as you can. When I say read, I don't mean an old article in "Women's Day magazine", "People magazine" or even a "new cure" in "The Enquirer". Purchase a current & relative book on diabetes. The American Diabetes Association has many great books, for both the newly diagnosed, and loved ones who are trying to learn.

Understand that not every diabetic is doomed to have life threatening complications. As long as he/she is controlling their blood sugars, they can lead a very healthy and happy life. Diabetes is an extremely complex disease. Diabetes is so much more than just eating fruits, vegetables and exercising. Diabetes is interconnected along with our emotional, psychological, as well as our physical state. So please keep these things in mind, when dealing with a diabetic loved one.

Yogi