Future development and goals
I have a desire to have an impact at grassroots level providing support and education directly to those who are affected by the condition and are at risk of developing the condition. With enough support I endeavour to create events aimed at different audiences:
‘Athletic Diabetic’ Days
For those who have the condition and want to learn more about managing the condition when exercising.
Type 1 events would be aimed mainly children, providing them with an environment in which they can relax and not worry about the burden of diabetes whilst educating friends and family members about the condition and how to control the condition whilst exercising.
Type 2 events would be aimed mainly adults who both have diabetes or are at risk of type 2 diabetes. It would explain how to minimise the risk of diabetes, how to help manage diabetes and the complications arising from diabetes. It would also focus on creating a support network for similar minded people that can pursue a similar goal together rather than feeling isolated and feeling like they have to face diabetes alone.
‘Athletic Diabetic’ Awareness Events
For those that do not know anything about diabetes, raising awareness of what the condition is, how it is managed, side effects of the condition, remove stereotypes and how to care for someone with diabetes.
These events would be aimed at different audiences each focusing on different areas of diabetes awareness
Children
- Would be taught how to recognise the symptoms of type 1 diabetes to help prevent late diagnoses that can cause complications.
- How to treat someone who has diabetes. This knowledge should be implemented alongside the knowledge that if someone has asthma they may need their inhaler, or if someone has an allergic reaction they may need their Epipen or some other form of medication.
- Would be taught the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle so would also reduce childhood obesity.
- Would be taught body positivity in that it would include acceptance of disabilities within mainstream society. This is due to seeing different types of insulin pumps, what they are and what to do if one is found.
General Population
- Would be focused around removing typical stereotypes about diabetes – Mythbusting.
- What the causes and symptoms of diabetes are to enable early diagnosis in themselves or their on children
- How to treat someone with diabetes if they have a hypo
- Help remove the curtain on the hidden often ignored condition
Work forces
- How to incorporate diabetics into the workforce
- Benefits of healthy living on the workforce
- How to implement small changes that can increase productivity and output