4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Get Informed, July 16, 2009
This review is from: 21 Simple Things You Can Do To Help Someone With Diabetes (Paperback)
Often writers say if they can touch just one life or change one person for the better by telling their story, that their mission is accomplished. Cherie Burbach hasn't used those precise words; instead she says that "21 Simple Things You Can Do To Help Someone with Diabetes will point you in the right direction so you can truly support your diabetic friend." Her book has pointed me in the direction and I suspect has changed my life too--at least part of it.
I was a prime target for this book; one of the guilty uneducated and judgmental non-diabetics with a friend who has diabetes. In easy-to-understand and well-organized words that don't drip with sentimentality, Ms. Burbach has awakened me to my thus far careless attitude and informed me of what I can do. I had no idea my support plays an important role in how healthy my friend is.
Ms. Burbach writes, "This book is a source of encouragement, a prompt for education, and a starting guide to diabetic etiquette." Check.
Source of encouragement? Yes. I'm looking forward to first apologizing to my friend for being missing in action in this regard, and then to talking with her and taking an active interest in this huge aspect of her life. How did I miss its hugeness--this thing she thinks about and manages every hour of every day of her life?
A prompt for education? Yes. Ms. Burbach says, "The people in my life who really care about me understand things like an A1c test." I had no idea what an A1c test was, but I do now--thank you Ms. Burbach and Google--and that's just scratching the surface. I'll know now to stock both sugar-free and sugar drinks and juice. I'll ask about testing equipment and where she keeps it, I'll try to know the signs of low blood sugar, I'll get to know her diabetic numbers, I won't view insulin as the cure it isn't, I will be cognizant of meal times.
Etiquette, you say in chronic disease? Yes, and I'm guilty of saying inadvertent hurtful things, being a member of the diabetic police force, holding certain judgments, and thinking I'm above the disease. We are reminded that diabetes can strike anyone at any time.
This little book packs an informative punch to those who know little to nothing about diabetes. I highly recommend it.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Reading At The Beach: Reviews, April 28, 2010
This review is from: 21 Simple Things You Can Do To Help Someone With Diabetes (Paperback)
The support a diabetic receives from family and friends goes a long way toward how well they control and cope with this disease. Controlling your diet and getting enough exercise are key to living with diabetes.
So many people don't understand what is ok and what is not ok for a diabetic to eat. Most think that they only need to stay away from desserts or other sugary foods. That isn't the case by a long shot. Some can't eat potatoes without their sugar going sky high. Others can't drink juice. It's very complicated and everyone is different. Then at times their blood sugar goes to low, and they need to eat something sweet.
This is an excellent book for anyone who has, or knows someone with diabetes. It's only 76 pages and takes under a half hour to read. I think anyone connected with diabetes in any way should read this book.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT LITTLE BOOK ON DIABETES, April 27, 2010
This review is from: 21 Simple Things You Can Do To Help Someone With Diabetes (Paperback)
There are many self-help books about diabetes out there, and many of them were written by non-diabetics. There are many people that you go to school or work with may have diabetes. You can never know what they are going through and sometimes you do not support them when they need it. Cherie's book is just what the Dr. ordered. I have a friend who is a diabetic and she has gone through some rough times. She has been on insulin since she was two years old and she is now sixteen. She often mentions to me that no one "gets it". I thought I understood her feelings,until I read this handy little book. The twenty one tips are concise and easy to read. Since the author is a diabetic, she knows what it is all about. She included her own life stories and how she handled her diabetes. Many people do not know what the disease is all about and tip # 1 is very important. She says that it is very important to get educated about the disease and then you can be more supportive of the person with diabetes. So if you know someone who is diabetic or someone who just got diagnosed with the disease this book is an excellent resource.
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