During this pandemic, many people with diabetes are feeling extra stress. During telehealth visits, they are sharing feelings of discouragement and disappointment as they struggle with social distancing, limited food choices and big disruptions in their usual daily schedule. This disruption is reflected in blood sugars and shifts in body weight.
This moment of discouragement and despair provides an opportunity for diabetes specialist to listen compassionately and help with problem solving.
We can remind them that having diabetes is not their fault and no one can do it perfectly. By modeling kindness and understanding, we can encourage them to be a kinder self-coach from this day forward.
People with diabetes often feel judged by others, including providers, family, friends and even sometimes by members of the diabetes team.
When we provide the gift of “non-judgment” we can help open unexpected doors of insight and understanding. In my experience, people with diabetes are already hard enough on themselves. Meeting them in the field of understanding and compassion can provide them with the courage and belief that they can start rewriting their journey.
Join our Free webinar on Language and Diabetes to further explore this topic.
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