Customer Reviews

21 Simple Things You Can Do To Help Someone With Diabetes

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

One of my children was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when she was six. She's now in her early twenties. When I saw the chance to review Cherie Burbach's book 21 Simple Things You Can Do To Help Someone With Diabetes I signed up. Ms. Burbach has lived with diabetes for many years which gives valuable first hand perspective. In the introduction she states:

This book is:

* a source of encouragement

* a prompt for education

* a starting guide to diabetic etiquette

This book is not:

* a medical reference book

* a substitute for a nurse, doctor, or other medical professional

Three of the 21 topics addressed are:

* Learn about the disease

* Don't view insulin as a cure

* Retire from the diabetic police force

Ms. Burbach points out if you take the time to learn basic facts about diabetes you'll find that much of what you thought you understood to be true is simply not true. For instance, one gets Type 1 diabetes from eating too much sugar. Wrong! The fact is the pancreas ceases to function properly. When my daughter was diagnosed the medical professionals at our wonderful clinic (at a top tier children's hospital) made the point of saying insulin is not a cure, it is life support. That drove home the point. It keeps one alive but it doesn't cure the pancreas. The Diabetic Policing issue is ongoing for someone with diabetes. Ms. Burbach is right about that. In our extended family there was always someone who would look at my daughter's plate and say "can you eat that?". Probably asked with good intentions, but really quite rude and unsupportive.

In straight-forward terms Ms. Burbach explains how to be there for a friend, co-worker, or relative who has this chronic disease. My daughter also read the book and said it made some great points but also thinks it might be asking too much of some friends and co-workers. This reminds me that everyone has her own perspective. I wish 21 Simple Things had been around when she was newly diagnosed. I would have given it to relatives, teachers, coaches, etc. I think it would be an excellent resource for people who have someone in their life who is living with diabetes. I also think diabetes clinics should have it on hand for the newly-diagnosed and their families.

Cheri Burbach captures the essence of a majority of people who know little or nothing about diabetes.

Millions have been diagnosed with diabetes, and have been the brunt of a comment or situation with someone from the uninformed public.

It not only comes from "the public", but family members and friends who take little or no time to understand this major health issue.

The author simplifes the subject matter and has created a powerful checklist for the uninformed.

It is an easy to read, easy to understand guide hitting on emotional, sensitive and practical situations that we probably experienced ourselves, or overheard in conversation at some point in our lives.

Have you had awkward moments with a friend or family member that is diabetic?

Could you have handled it better? This guide gets you there. More importantly, reading it can help you say the right thing rather than the wrong thing. Knowledge is power and kindness and understanding go a long way in any relationship. As a practitioner of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine I am happy to recommend this book. It sheds light on a topic that has not been addressed ...It educates and puts responsibility on others. It will help many friends and family 'step up" in the right direction. It offers a new type of "help" book...help for others!