When I was growing up, no one told me about diabetes. No one told me about the symptoms of diabetes, or about diabetes risk factors. I was never told that it ran my family, that obesity was a serious factor in whether you developed it, and that the fact that I was overweight put me in imminent danger. By the time I found out, it was too late. I was now very sick with diabetes.

I grew up in a family that was seriously in denial, and soon I was in denial myself. I tried out flaky diabetic remedies that were reputed to be miracle cures, but in fact only made me more sick.I was not taking my medicine on a regular basis, not sticking with my diet, and in general not taking care of myself. If there weren’t diabetes support groups, in fact, I might not be alive today.

The first time I heard about a diabetes support group, I outwardly sneered. I didn’t feel like I needed diabetes support groups. Support groups for diabetics were just not my style, I thought. And one day, I took a serious look in the mirror.I realized that I was in an unhealthy state and I knew I needed the help of a community. That is when I decided to join a diabetes support group.

When I went to the Diabetes support group for the first time, I was absolutely blown away by how friendly and supportive members were. I did know diabetes support groups were supposed to be welcoming places, but I was not prepared for how much of an effect it would have on me. Part of what diabetes support groups help you with is addressing all of that inner fear and anxiety. Of course, diabetes support groups also address more tangible issues, like taking the responsibility to check up on each other and making sure that everyone is taking care of their condition. All in all, they had everything I needed.