# Does Anyone Have Recommendations for how to Help Family Members Understand the Complexities of this Disease **URL:** \ **Category:** Type 1 & LADA\ **Created:** [June 10, 2018, 4:52am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/does-anyone-have-recommendations-for-how-to-help-family-members-understand-the-complexities-of-this-disease/4196 "2018-06-10T04:52:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nickyghaleb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Nickyghaleb](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Nickyghaleb)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2018, 4:52am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/does-anyone-have-recommendations-for-how-to-help-family-members-understand-the-complexities-of-this-disease/4196/1 "2018-06-10T04:52:23Z")
Bringing over another question from my group… I’ve already told her she was welcome to invite family to join the facebook group and that I’d post here to see what you all had to say… “Can anyone recommend a book/article/something for family members of T1 diabetics that deals more with the day to day challenges of this life style? I have some family members who only see me occasionally, and are constantly shocked that after all these years, I still haven’t figured out how to have perfect sugar all the time (sigh). So I was thinking maybe it would be helpful if they could read something that not just talked about the physiology of it, but someone else’s experience of the day to day challenges, what it feels like being low/high, etc. I hope this makes sense.” ---
**Author:** ![elver](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/elver/32/8772_2.png) [@elver](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/elver)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2018, 1:31pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/does-anyone-have-recommendations-for-how-to-help-family-members-understand-the-complexities-of-this-disease/4196/2 "2018-06-10T13:31:46Z")
There is a link to a cartoon floating around this site which has helped me to explain Dto people I know. Susie Cagle is the artist ---
**Author:** ![elver](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/elver/32/8772_2.png) [@elver](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/elver)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2018, 1:35pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/does-anyone-have-recommendations-for-how-to-help-family-members-understand-the-complexities-of-this-disease/4196/3 "2018-06-10T13:35:57Z")
Cartoon is called Sugarland > **[Sugarland | WNYC | New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, News](https://www.wnyc.org/story/sugarland-diabetes-epidemic/)** > > Diabetes is ravaging a record number of Americans—and the cost of treating it has never been so sickening. ---
**Author:** ![Nickyghaleb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Nickyghaleb](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Nickyghaleb)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2018, 4:52pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/does-anyone-have-recommendations-for-how-to-help-family-members-understand-the-complexities-of-this-disease/4196/4 "2018-06-10T16:52:21Z")
That was great. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Lisa](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/lisa/32/2701_2.png) [@Lisa](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Lisa)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2018, 8:29pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/does-anyone-have-recommendations-for-how-to-help-family-members-understand-the-complexities-of-this-disease/4196/5 "2018-06-10T20:29:08Z")
You might want to check out these two articles written by Riva Greenberg: > **[The Invisibility of Type 1 Diabetes](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-invisibility-of-type_b_8043904?ec_carp=7505946425841596617)** > > Everyone seems to think blood sugar calculations are effortless. You do it every day. You've done it a million times. But it's not effortless. You start... > **[Type 1 Diabetes Finally Explained](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/type-1-diabetes_b_4869238)** > > I got diabetes in February 1972 when I was 18 years old. I'm now 60. I've had diabetes more than four decades, more than two-thirds of my life. I have no... ---
**Author:** ![Nickyghaleb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Nickyghaleb](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Nickyghaleb)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2018, 9:14pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/does-anyone-have-recommendations-for-how-to-help-family-members-understand-the-complexities-of-this-disease/4196/6 "2018-06-10T21:14:11Z")
> **[8 things I wish people understood about having Type 1 diabetes](https://www.vox.com/2016/5/5/11568158/type-one-diabetes)** > > If I'd been born a century ago, I'd probably be dead. I hope it’s not weird to respond to my own question, but I just got this from my group and wanted to share it here. I thoroughly enjoyed it… ---
**Author:** ![Nickyghaleb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Nickyghaleb](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Nickyghaleb)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2018, 11:38pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/does-anyone-have-recommendations-for-how-to-help-family-members-understand-the-complexities-of-this-disease/4196/7 "2018-06-10T23:38:57Z")
This is perfect. It definitely hits on a few of the highlights of living with the disease. The ONLY part I couldn’t get behind had to do with the type 2 stereotypes. I know I, for one, have never envied type 2s… boy, do they take a hit in the blame and guilt categories. 😐. Off to go share. Thank you again! ---
**Author:** ![elver](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/elver/32/8772_2.png) [@elver](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/elver)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 12:11am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/does-anyone-have-recommendations-for-how-to-help-family-members-understand-the-complexities-of-this-disease/4196/8 "2018-06-11T00:11:24Z")
@Nickyghaleb Glad you enjoyed Sugarland. I have used it with friends who had problems conceptualizing diabetes as a whole. BTW the artist Susie Cagle is a SF Bay Area cartoonist who tends to do more fringe/edgy subjects that are politically volatile. She is definitely undervalued in the cartoon/political satire world. ---
**Author:** ![Nickyghaleb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Nickyghaleb](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Nickyghaleb)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 12:19am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/does-anyone-have-recommendations-for-how-to-help-family-members-understand-the-complexities-of-this-disease/4196/9 "2018-06-11T00:19:19Z")
She does other things? I really enjoyed her style. I’ll have to look her up. ---
**Author:** ![elver](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/elver/32/8772_2.png) [@elver](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/elver)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 12:27am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/does-anyone-have-recommendations-for-how-to-help-family-members-understand-the-complexities-of-this-disease/4196/10 "2018-06-11T00:27:26Z")
@Nickyghaleb here is one about Californa. [http://susie-c.tumblr.com/post/122437682265/the-golden-land-after-water](http://susie-c.tumblr.com/post/122437682265/the-golden-land-after-water) And one about Uber > **[The Uber Con – Susie Cagle – Medium](https://medium.com/@susie_c/the-uber-con-b6617d92a0b0)** > > An exclusive sponsorship deal with the DNC frayed Uber’s logistics, riled critics, and almost convinced me of the benefits of free-market… ---
**Author:** ![Nickyghaleb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Nickyghaleb](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Nickyghaleb)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 2:30am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/does-anyone-have-recommendations-for-how-to-help-family-members-understand-the-complexities-of-this-disease/4196/11 "2018-06-11T02:30:28Z")
Thank you! Will check them out if I can ever get my kids to sleep… ---
**Author:** ![DeeM](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/deem/32/3597_2.png) [@DeeM](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/DeeM)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 2:39am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/does-anyone-have-recommendations-for-how-to-help-family-members-understand-the-complexities-of-this-disease/4196/12 "2018-06-11T02:39:50Z")
One of my fave articles 😉 #6 always rings true… many misconceptions about the entire world of the D. ---
**Author:** ![Nickyghaleb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Nickyghaleb](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Nickyghaleb)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 3:55am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/does-anyone-have-recommendations-for-how-to-help-family-members-understand-the-complexities-of-this-disease/4196/13 "2018-06-11T03:55:21Z")
Under #6: This line was my favorite… “My favorite: I’ve had people suggest to me that my type of diabetes is ‘better,’ because at least I’m not fat. I can’t even. Seek help.” That’s great. Ignorance can be breathtaking. I once had a friend who told me how lucky I was because I could eat anything I wanted. This was a real conversation. I weighed 106 lbs., had an a1c of a 16.4, crawled up and down the stairs because my energy was nonexistent, and I tasted copper 24 hours a day and had for a year. She knew all of these things. “You can eat anything you want and not gain weight.” 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![Aaron](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/aaron/32/1454_2.png) [@Aaron](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Aaron)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 6:16pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/does-anyone-have-recommendations-for-how-to-help-family-members-understand-the-complexities-of-this-disease/4196/16 "2018-06-11T18:16:16Z")
> [@Nickyghaleb](#): > > I hope it’s not weird to respond to my own question, The Vox article was pretty good - I love the part about how some people think that sticking yourself with needles is the worst part of the disease. I don’t actually care 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![elver](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/elver/32/8772_2.png) [@elver](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/elver)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 7:33pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/does-anyone-have-recommendations-for-how-to-help-family-members-understand-the-complexities-of-this-disease/4196/18 "2018-06-11T19:33:45Z")
@T1Allison now THOSE (truth-bombs) would be an awesome thread!! Aren’t families GREAT!?!?! Glad you survived. 😄 ---
**Author:** ![docslotnick](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/docslotnick/32/75_2.png) [@docslotnick](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/docslotnick)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 8:44pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/does-anyone-have-recommendations-for-how-to-help-family-members-understand-the-complexities-of-this-disease/4196/19 "2018-06-11T20:44:50Z")
My grandfather contracted T1 diabetes about 100 years ago. And, alas, he did die shortly thereafter. We have come a long way in treating this disease and I thank the Lord for being born when I was. ---
**Author:** ![Chris](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/chris/32/382_2.png) [@Chris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Chris)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 11:01pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/does-anyone-have-recommendations-for-how-to-help-family-members-understand-the-complexities-of-this-disease/4196/20 "2018-06-11T23:01:59Z")
I understand. Not trying to one-up or anything. Educating family is a long and tiresome journey at times. ---
**Author:** ![ClaudnDaye](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/claudndaye/32/5_2.png) [@ClaudnDaye](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/ClaudnDaye)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 11:39pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/does-anyone-have-recommendations-for-how-to-help-family-members-understand-the-complexities-of-this-disease/4196/21 "2018-06-11T23:39:40Z")
Not sure about you guys but I’ve given up trying to educate mine. They either just don’t want to learn or are just too afraid. They still stand in awe when we are changing out Bob (CGM) or Fred (POD). ---
**Author:** ![Nickyghaleb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Nickyghaleb](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Nickyghaleb)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2018, 4:05am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/does-anyone-have-recommendations-for-how-to-help-family-members-understand-the-complexities-of-this-disease/4196/22 "2018-06-12T04:05:19Z")
Mine, unfortunately, are kind of getting the hang of it. Now everyone knows what’s right for me, right or not, and I can no longer make a decision without explaining it (and occasionally have the candy bar in my hand swapped out for an applesauce). We always think we know what we want… until we realize otherwise. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Nickyghaleb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Nickyghaleb](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Nickyghaleb)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2018, 4:06am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/does-anyone-have-recommendations-for-how-to-help-family-members-understand-the-complexities-of-this-disease/4196/23 "2018-06-12T04:06:53Z")
I liked the “helpful nurse”. It’ll give me something to smile about at the next appointment… There’s sure to be one. 😃 [Next page](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/does-anyone-have-recommendations-for-how-to-help-family-members-understand-the-complexities-of-this-disease/4196.md?page=2)