Alan, Administrator for the Diabetes Support Forum, explains why the forum was set up and how it provides a platform for people to share and exchange information.
I’m Alan, and I am the Administrator for the Diabetes Support Forum. Along with a team of moderators I monitor the forum ensuring that people get responses, that the forum guidelines are being adhered to and keeping out unwanted material such as advertising or inappropriate links that may mislead the genuine members.
The forum is now nearly four years old and was originally set up to provide a source of support for people affected by diabetes by providing a platform where experiences can be shared and information exchanged. Diabetes can be a very isolating condition and it’s good to know that you are not alone whatever your situation might be.
We have members covering the full spectrum – all age groups from young teens to senior citizens, with sections covering pregnancy, parenting, exercise, weight loss and many more topics, so there is something for everyone.
On the forum, people talk about anything from toenails to nostrils to the hair on your head, there is no topic or question that is considered ‘silly’! Whether it is a particular problem or just sharing day-to-day experiences, talking to people who ‘get it’ can make such a difference to how people deal with their diabetes.
It’s not all about diabetes though, we have a very active ‘off the subject’ section where non-diabetic topics are discussed, and a humour section to provide a daily dose of light relief! Up-to-the-minute news items concerning diabetes and other health-related topics are regularly posted. The forum also arranges regular meetings up and down the country where members can meet face-to-face, which have proved extremely popular.
We get a lot of posts from newly-diagnosed people who have often been left with confusing or inadequate information from their healthcare teams. We can help assure them that the outlook is positive and direct them to reliable sources of information to help set them on the right track and allay their concerns.We also get members who have been diagnosed long-term but are struggling or looking to share their experiences with like-minded people.
Diabetes is largely self-managed, and that can be difficult at times, but with the range of knowledge and experience available from thousands of other forum members it can be made a whole lot easier!
Alan, administrator for the Diabetes Support Forum
We have members of all types and relationships to diabetes, including carers, partners and spouses, people who have become diabetic due to removal of their pancreas, Type 1, 1.5, 2, gestational, some with days of experience and some with decades!
The forum has helped many people connected to diabetes. One unusual case involved a person who had undergone major surgery and become diabetic due to the removal of their pancreas.
As a consequence, blood glucose control was proving extremely difficult, but with the help and advice of other members who suggested an insulin pump might be the most appropriate treatment, she found a good clinic and is now managing well on her new pump. Her healthcare team had not even mentioned this as an option, so she had been completely unaware of it. As a consequence of her success another pancreatic diabetic has also pursued the pump option.
We have also had a number of cases where a person has been left frightened and confused by their diagnosis, but who is now enjoying the best of health and good diabetes control after reading about the experiences of others who had been there before.
We often receive comments that they would have not got there without the help of fellow forum members. We are not medical professionals, so cannot give medical advice, but we can exchange opinions and experiences that members can then use as persuasive arguments if they feel they are not receiving good care.
The camaraderie and friendships that have been formed are life-changing and life-enhancing, we try and promote a positive view whenever possible so that people feel free to express their concerns without judgement or censure, often in sharp contrast to the often negative portrayal of people with diabetes in the media.
Diabetes is largely self-managed, and that can be difficult at times, but with the range of knowledge and experience available from thousands of other forum members it can be made a whole lot easier!
The forum is free to register, just go to the registration section of the forum and follow the instructions. You can be anonymous, giving only as much personal information as you wish. Anyone can read the forum posts, but only members can participate – this makes sure our members are kept safe from unwanted posts, such as spam advertising or scams.
