Free Diabetic Supplies

During the past two decades researchers, doctors, educators, individuals with diabetes and others have made great strides in diagnosing, treating, controlling and preventing diabetes.  Diabetes is no longer a condition without answers and without specific things that individuals can do to feel better and live healthier lives. 

Type 2 diabetes – usually found in adults  – has progressed in many ways, some good and some not so good.  The not so good part is that it is estimated that nearly 180 million people throughout the world have diabetes.  The better part is that there is more information and more options when it comes to treating diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association and similar organizations in other countries work diligently to provide information for individuals dealing with diabetes and to steer them onto the right course when it comes to support, telling their story and listening to the stories of others and accessing vital facts that will help them get or stay healthier longer.

There is a wonderful tool available now that will help kids have some of the same types of information and support that adults have.  Usually children suffer from type 1 diabetes, which starts during childhood.  There have been more occurrences of children with Type 2 diabetes more recently, however, Type 1 diabetes is still much more prevalent among children.

Knowing that diabetes can be extremely difficult for adults to deal with for many reasons, it is logical that children would have a more difficult time in some ways.  They are not able to look back 20 or 30 years and realize that if they had changed their diet and exercise or made other lifestyle changes, perhaps they would not be struggling with the disease.  Children only know that they have diabetes through no fault of their own and there are things they must do to deal with the disease.

The Junior Diabetes Research Foundation website, T1 Kids, was created to give children their own place to go to share and receive information about diabetes.  There is a blog, there are articles, sections about living with the disease and finding a cure, and there are games on the site, as well.  Kids can also chat with other kids with diabetes.  The T1 Kids website is a creative, educational and timely tool to help guide kids through the issues surrounding their diabetes.  It helps them feel connected to others in the same or similar situations.  It is a source of information, encouragement and support.

You can find T1 Kids on the web at www.t1kids.org.uk.