The DDG recently met Dave Thomas, a T2D who raised a ton of cash for the American Diabetes Association, Tour de Cure. He was a total hoot and fulfilled the DDG mission of Real Support For The Diabetic Life, by honestly answering the questions we presented.
1. What would you like to tell all of those people who don’t understand the type 2 diabetes diagnosis? All the people that I run into who don’t understand diabetes have never taken the time to look into it or someone with diabetes hasn’t taken the time to explain it to them. There are a lot of stereotypes associated with being diabetic. I would like for them to ask me about it when they see me checking my sugar, or in my case taking some insulin. It would open up a great conversation about my diabetes and an opportunity to educate them. If it’s someone I know pretty well I could share what to look for if I am high or low. Just about everybody in my office knows now that I have diabetes. It didn’t always used to be that way. I still get the occasional remark, “you can’t eat that, you’re diabetic”. I just smile and talk to them later.
- Lack of national awareness of this disease.
- Lack of educational materials about the disease and it’s effects.
- Lack of funding to find a cure. We have fundraising events, then a thank you until next year and then another fund raising event.
- Lack of people understanding what it is and how it effects those who have it. I always look for opportunities to educate people about diabetes. Education is key for people to understand what diabetes is about.
The DDG is excited to have a person with T2D as a part of the team to help raise awareness and funds to find a cure. Keep it up Dave!
