You are a Type 3! That is someone who cares and shows support for a person with diabetes. It means you are living through the journey of a diabetes life with me.

Diabetes Basics:Blood sugar swings are not unusual with diabetes. I most need you to be

supportive and loving during these moments. It is challenging to experience

the highs and lows of diabetes, and it is often embarrassing.

Here are some ways for you to help me:When my blood sugar is LOW I need you to….

Be calm

Help me eat or drink sugary food like fruit juice or raisins

(This will help my blood sugar go up.)

Help me relax

Be supportive and not over- reactive

When my blood sugar is HIGH I need you to….Be patient and understanding

Don’t ask me what I did to make my blood sugar high

Encourage me to go for a gentle walk (Insulin and activity will help my

blood sugar go down.)

Encourage me to drink water

Here is what I want you to know about my life with diabetes:

I need… Support

Sensitivity

Trust

Patience

I need to…. Be able to communicate my needs with you

Know that you will help me in an emergency

Know that you will be understanding about any problems related

to my diabetes

Know that you won’t overreact to my high and low blood sugars

Know that you will not be overprotective

I want you to know I sometimes… Feel fragile because of diabetes

Doubt myself

Fear that people see me as “sick” and question my abilities

Anxious about how diabetes makes me react to others, especially if I am

experiencing a high or low blood sugar.

I don’t like having diabetes, but it is a part of me. I need you to understand

This project is supported by a gift from The Patterson Foundation.

www.studentswithdiabetes.com

www.bringingsciencehome.com

Created by: Nicole Johnson, MPH, MA, Sara Spowart, MPA, and Amanda Mezer