Award winning Diabetes Mine Blog by Amy Tenderich describes the "Etiquette Cards" by the Behavioral Diabetes Institute which advise others who don't have diabetes on appropriate behavior. The first tip is "Don't offer unsolicited advice about my eating or other aspects of diabetes." Being helpful or supportive without being annoying is often a challenge and the tips give some concrete guidance. The "etiquette" includes advice not to tell "horror stories" about others whom you have known who had diabetes, and don't offer the wrong type of reassurances, such as saying "it could be worse, you could have cancer."
The privacy of a diabetic's blood sugar, and the request for others to avoid looking "horrified" when a diabetic checks blood sugar or administers an injection are other tips on the list.
When someone lives with any chronic condition there can be a sense of "being different" or "isolated" from others. When people try to help in the wrong way this can make it worse.
Being supportive, asking how you can help, or offering love and encouragement are some more tips for "etiquette" that can apply to interacting with anyone who has a chronic condition.
Completely ignoring the condition might make someone feel you did not care, and sincerely asking how you can help is always appreciated.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
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