Local diabetes groups - do you attend?

[donnac1968]

Hi

I was wondering how many people here go to an actual diabetes meeting in their local area.
I go to the Chester Diabetes UK group and am possibly going to become secretary of the group soon.
Are local meetings relevant do you think? Or has the internet become the font of all knowledge??
Our group meets 6 times a year and always has a guest speaker. There is then a bit of chat between members etc and a raffle. It’s a chance to meet other people face to face.

What do you think?

 

[DCUKMod]

I am an officer in our local group. We are a vibrant group, meeting monthly. Most months we have a speaker; not absolutely always diabetes related.

I have met some wonderful people via the group and learned of lots or prople have found lots of different ways to live with diabetes.

Online isn't for everyone. Face2Face meetings aren't for everyone, so it's good that people have options.

 

[Squire Fulwood]

I like the idea of groups although I don't know of one around here. My concern is what information is disseminated since the organiser has great power. A group telling people they have to eat carbs to stop their brain from dying and to only eat low fat products is a possibility. Even my enlightened nurse told me I must eat carbs for energy but she has to toe the official line. A group shows the willingness to get better but who is running it.

 

[wiflib]

I suppose it depends on what sort of personality and support someone can offer or needs.
Groups like that have never appealed to me at all so something I’d not seek out unless I was a speaker or supporting someone else.

 

[LittleGreyCat]

I belonged to a group for a while but the meetings were like the night of the living dead.
Geriatrics out for the free tea and biscuits as far as I can tell.
Very disappointing.
I was hoping to be able to make a difference.

 

[therower]

@donnac1968 . I think that meeting people in person with whom you share a condition is invaluable. The internet is good but it lacks that “ real “ touch.
Good luck with your group. Keep it light hearted and fun .

 

[donnac1968]

Our speakers are mostly NHS professionals from various departments. DSNs, chiropodist, eye specialists etc. No one tells anyone what to eat.

 

[donnac1968]

I belonged to a group for a while but the meetings were like the night of the living dead.
Geriatrics out for the free tea and biscuits as far as I can tell.
Very disappointing.
I was hoping to be able to make a difference.

Yes it is a bit biased towards older mostly type 2s.
But we have a mix of t1 and t2 so I’m looking for ideas to attract everyone.
I’m a type 1 myself

 

[DCUKMod]

I belonged to a group for a while but the meetings were like the night of the living dead.
Geriatrics out for the free tea and biscuits as far as I can tell.
Very disappointing.
I was hoping to be able to make a difference.

We have a real mixture in our local group - in terms of age, type and complexity. I think "make a difference" can be in unexpected forms, at unexpected times.

For me it's a long game, but a long game with nice folks playing, sometimes to different rules to me. We all make choices.

Whilst I can't say I have modified my personal approach or choices by being in the group, I have learned a lot about diabetes, folks' approaches to it, and made some firm friends. My local group was also my "gateway" to our local Research Centre, which is a fascinating and fabulous environment, populated by people deeply passionate about making a difference in their field.

When I went to my first meeting, I just wanted to see what it was all about. On the above basis, I got way more than I quite bargained for.