Dubai: Being diagnosed with diabetes not only changes a person’s lifestyle, but affects his or her family members as well. In this, support groups are integral to help patients and their families cope with the many aspects of the disease.
For patients, this could range from experiencing feelings of denial, depression, embarrassment due to the demands of constant blood monitoring, and even anger and resentment stemming from the ‘why me’ syndrome. For a parent, it could mean a tougher parenting challenge extending to the practical and emotional aspects of caring for a child with diabetes.
In the UAE, there are a few support groups helping patients and families affected by Type 1 and 2. Gulf News spoke to a few.
Sweetkidz, a non-profit support group in Dubai that empowers parents of children with Type-1 diabetes, provides information on Type 1 diabetes and provides a forum to bring together children with diabetes and their families.
Dr Khowla Belhoul, founder of the group and consultant physician and director of the Thalassaemia Centre, said that a parent plays an important role in helping young adults lead a safe life.
Another group supporting Type 1 diabetes patients is ‘I am Number One’, a new Dubai-based non-profit body founded by two mothers — Gilly Geisler and Evelyn Matafonov, who recognised the need for a support network given the large number of expatriates.
Matafonov said, “Through various activities, we bring together parents and children to share success stories and discuss concerns that could relate to school meals, snacks, or other medical challenges and complications.”
Dr Elham Al Amiri, paediatric endocrinologist with the UAE Ministry of Health (MOH) and founder of support group Friends For Diabetes in Sharjah, said that awareness activities help educate the public. The group organises activities in government school, malls and supermarkets and hosts panel discussions.
In addition, an online support group ‘My Diabetes Story’, led by Emirates Diabetes Society and supported by Sanofi, provides meaningful support and advice through patient-to-patient communication.
