International Diabetes Federation diabetes storybook

Jessica Schmidt (Canada)

Canadian Diabetes Association

My name is Jessica Schmidt, I’m 13 years old and am from Victoria (British Columbia, Canada). I have type 1 diabetes and I am a volunteer advocate for the Canadian Diabetes Association. I want everyone to see diabetes through my eyes and know that it is not something to be afraid or ashamed of.

When I was first diagnosed, a nurse came and spoke to my class about diabetes and how I would need to give myself injections throughout the day, prick my finger and sit out for a few minutes during physical education. That was my easiest year in school diabetes-wise, because all the kids knew and there was no guessing.

However, after a few class and school changes, no one really knew me anymore. Sometimes, classmates would gather around me and watch me prick my finger. When my class gets substitute teachers they sometimes think my insulin pump is a cell phone. When I explain them what it is they sometimes ask, “And what is that?” Inside my head I am thinking, “Why would a teacher not know this?”

Recently, my eighth grade teacher said he thought that type 1 diabetes was caused by consuming too much sugar. Another classmate also asked me if they could ‘catch’ diabetes by having me sneeze on them.

I am always happy to explain and appreciate that my classmates ask questions, instead of making assumptions.

I am thankful to have such a supportive family – Mum, Dad and my brother, Martin. They make me feel like my diabetes can’t slow me down.

Binit H. Gandhi (India)

Young Leader in Diabetes

I am strong... I am worthy...

I am beautiful... I am perfect...

I am me...

In India, social factors play an important role in the acceptance, adherence to treatment and overall outcomes of diabetes management. People with diabetes in resource-limited countries like India face diverse consequences because of their condition, and its management is negatively affected.

The preference for a male over a female child is considered a tradition, and a female child or adult with diabetes has to face problems like inferior care, strict religious rituals and social stigma. On top of this, females with diabetes will have to face the high cost of insulin and glucose strips, lack of medical insurance and the need to save money.

To overcome this issue of gender discrimination, the government has started to provide free medical treatment to female children and adults in villages. Graduating doctors are also obliged to practice in villages and help poor people before completing their degrees. Non-governmental organisations and charity groups are given special recognition by the government if they support issues related to diabetes, particularly if they work towards the improvement of conditions for women. More awareness is being spread to save, support and encourage girls and women through adverts in newspapers, on the television and radio.

A revolution for the girls and women with diabetes is taking place, due to increasing support from the government and other organisations. Society is also gradually understanding the need to stop discrimination against girls and women, and instead provide them with the best medical care available.

Sana Ajmal (Pakistan)

Diabetic Association of Pakistan

Social stigma is part and parcel of living with diabetes, especially in developing countries.

I was 16 when I was diagnosed. At that time I was a high achiever in studies and active in both social and institutional settings. As soon as I was diagnosed, things started going very badly, because of the myths related to diabetes. When I was recovering from a ketoacidotic coma that I suffered because I was not diagnosed in time, people would come over to our place to “console” my parents, as I had been infected with the diabetes termite that would eat me up.

I commonly heard comments like a “female with type 1 diabetes cannot have children, so get her married off without telling the guy or his family”, or “there is no need to waste money on this child’s education as she is going to die sooner or later”.

My parents gave me a lot of confidence. We used to look on the Internet and in books to learn about diabetes management. In the end, we succeeded! I continued excelling in studies and I also found an amazing guy who was crazy enough to marry a woman infected with the diabetes termite... a rare find in my country!

With proper knowledge and support, I was able to have two healthy and extremely active children.

Today, with the help of the International Diabetes Federation’s (IDF) Young Leaders Programme and IDF Member Association/ Centre of Education, I have been pitched as a role model and a diabetes ambassador in the national and international arena. I keep telling my audience... nothing is impossible with diabetes. This gives people with diabetes some spirit and the “Aunty Acid”, some eye opening revelation.

Franclim Gomes Moreira (Brazil)

Brazilian National Association for Diabetes

My name is Franclim Gomes Moreira, I am 69 years old and currently retired. I discovered that I had diabetes when I was 35. Shortly thereafter, I was diagnosed with cardiovascular problems and underwent an angioplasty. I was also evaluated by an ophthalmologist who confirmed that I was at an initial stage of diabetic retinopathy.

Thanks to careful follow-up, these complications were identified early and could be treated, preventing more severe consequences. However, my kidneys were extremely weak, I was losing too much protein through my urine and my creatinine level was very high. After trying many different medications and dosages, the doctors at the Brazilian National Association for Diabetes (ANAD) finally prescribed me a treatment that worked and stabilised my blood glucose levels.

There was only one problem: after six months of treatment, I could not afford my medication anymore. My doctor filled in innumerable forms, reports and receipts to be submitted to the Ministry of Public Health for the “provision of high cost medication”, but my request was rejected twice. I was desperate, as I did not want to go back to living without control, running to hospitals, being afraid of dying and my family being constantly worried.

Asking ANAD’s lawyer for guidance, he helped me to win my case and I was informed that the government would provide me with the medicine I required. Thanks to this intervention , I’m healthy today! The fight isn’t easy, but I know that I have a place to go for treatment and support. I wish that everybody with diabetes knew that they must fight for their rights.