Greetings!

In this issue, we're focusing on an important but often overlooked aspect of living well with diabetes: your family and friends. They can be a great source of strength and support, but they can also be a source of angst and conflict, especially when they take on the role of the diabetes police. The articles below offer tips to help you obtain the optimal support you need and deserve.

Sincerely,

The Behavioral Diabetes Institute 
In This Issue
Announcing the Etiquette Card in Spanish - Etiqueta de Diabetes
How Can I Prevent Hypoglycemia from Destroying My Relationship?
Caregiver Confidential: How to Wear the White Hat When Helping Your Loved One
Announcing BDI's First Online Program: "Just for Parents"
BDI Spotlight: Diabetes Professionals who Appreciate and Support the Emotional Side
Announcing the Etiquette Card in Spanish - Etiqueta de Diabetes 

Spainish etiquette card

It has finally arrived! In response to the many requests we have received over the past year, we have completed a Spanish language version of BDI's Diabetes Etiquette Card (for those who don't have diabetes).

 

Please share it with your Spanish-speaking friends who have diabetes, to let them know that someone understands their concerns. More importantly, they can share it with their family and friends, who might need a few tips about how to be truly helpful.

 

Click to read the card In Spanish.  In English.

How Can I Prevent Hypoglycemia from Destroying My Relationship?
Q & A logo 
Chronic problems with severe hypoglycemia can be tough on a relationship. A woman with type 1 diabetes recently wrote to Diabetes Self-Management magazine, looking for suggestions.
 
BDI's Dr. Guzman responded with some important tips for dealing with the issue of hypoglycemia unawareness that can be of help to individuals with diabetes as well as their partners. 
 
Caregiver Confidential - How to Wear the White Hat When Helping Your Loved One
Police badge 
Of course, you would prefer not to be a member of the "diabetes police". Even when it is meant well, nagging can cause distress in even the most loving relationships. But sometimes it seems like there is no alternative. However, maybe there is! Diabetes Forecast magazine recently interviewed BDI's Dr. Polonsky on this very subject....

Announcing BDI's First Online Program: "Just for Parents"

Just for Parents program graphic 

Feeling overwhelmed by raising a teen with type 1 diabetes? Stop by and visit BDI's new automated program for stressed-out parents who have a type 1 teen. You can learn about your own unique stresses and discover personalized tips that can help you survive and thrive with a teen with type 1 diabetes. 

BDI Spotlight: Diabetes Professionals Who Appreciate and Support the Emotional Side

athena
Dr. Athena Philis-Tsimikas is Corporate Vice President for the Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute in La Jolla, CA. She guides the organization's strategic direction and clinical focus, including: patient care and education; diabetes research; and diabetes prevention programs for children and their parents.

 

"Diabetes education is critical not just for people with diabetes but for family and friends that support them. A true understanding of all the issues leads to the best partnership for all, emotionally and in the ability to obtain optimal outcomes."
 
Thank you, Dr Philis-Tsimikas!
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