To become educated about diabetes from a diabetic adolescent.

OVERVIEW

LEADER PREPARATION

Research the disease as much as possible prior to discussion. Be aware of the individual’s feelings or attitude with their diabetes. Consider following a diabetic diet. Prepare (after consulting a physician) to take a water shot with a diabetic syringe.

GROUP BUILDING

Preferably you will have spent time getting to know this person before this discussion. Make sure that you are in an appropriate, comfortable environment. Before you begin asking questions about the diabetes, spend some time in casual conversation. It is also a good idea to spend time talking about other things after the diabetic issue is discussed, so that the adolescent doesn’t think that your relationship is centered on his or her diabetes.

GROUP PRESENTATION

Explain to the adolescent your interest in knowing more about diabetes. Begin by asking the adolescent how long he or she has had the disease; allow them to tell their story.

GROUP DISCUSSION

After the adolescent tells some of his or her story, ask some more general questions about the diabetes. Even if you know about diabetes, allow the adolescent to educate you on his or her diet, the regimen involved in taking medication, and the effects of the disease on his or her daily activities. Ask the young person to explain insulin reactions and possibly offer examples of what might happen in that situation. If the discussion is comfortable and the individual responds openly, ask the diabetic to share how diabetes affects him or her, one’s friends, and the family emotionally. How does diabetes hinder relationships? How has he or she matured through the illness? After listening and allowing the individual to educate you on the disease, ask him or her to teach you what to do in case of a physical emergency, such as an insulin reaction.

If you come prepared, you may want to go on the diabetic diet with the young person. Be honest and discuss your struggles as you participate. If you stray from the regimen, tell your young friend; recognize the difficulty involved in maintaining the diet. Plan to stay on the diet for an extended amount of time. Another option (first clear this with a physician) is to allow the diabetic to teach you to take shots. (You must do this with water and use a sterile needle.) These optional participative activities are not to be taken lightly; do not attempt them unless you plan to follow through.

If the discussion goes well and you know that this person has some close friends who are also concerned with or interested in his or her diabetes, challenge the young person to educate them about the disease as well. Be willing to be a part of that discussion if necessary.

WRAP-UP

Express to the person that you appreciate his or her willingness to share and educate you. Remind the youth that the reason for your questioning is because you care about him or her. Do not forget to discuss other subjects, so that your relationship is not centered on the disease.

FOLLOW-UP

Throughout the discussion, monitor the comfort level of the adolescent. At the end of the discussion, ask the adolescent to tell you how he or she felt about the conversation.

IMPLICATIONS

It is important to become aware of the effects of diabetes and other chronic illnesses on adolescents and their lifestyles. This type of discussion can also be done with adolescents who may have a diabetic family member or friend. The idea of allowing the adolescent to express one’s views, through educating another concerned person, can be used in many situations or issues.