Part 5 of 5
@jjraak
October I joined the Patient Participation Group at my surgery. My surgery have been ultra supportive and together with the practice manager we are working out a plan for me to help fellow diabetics, this may be one to one's or giving talks, or both, but the discussions have started.
October I joined the local Diabetic Group who hold monthly meetings at Tesco. They have asked me to do a talk on my journey which I am doing in January. I'm out of my comfort zone but I'm sure I will find the confidence once I get going. I'm a keyboard warrior but not so confident public speaking!
November – 'A patient's story - Debra' is attached to the GP newsletter which is being circulated across the 2 surgeries (and around Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre hopefully – touting for business in the nicest possible way!
Diabetic review – hba1c 39 mmol/mol (5.7% ). In the 30s (Not been there for a while .).
December – The practice manager at my surgery is going great guns, she is contacting other PMs telling them im happy to help and hopefully we can get a few more diabetics interested, she has also confirmed that the council want to work with me! They are very keen on supporting anything that encourages good health. I have the support of the forum members who are going to help in any way they can as this is all new to me.
4 stone lost now (bar 1lb haha) – 10 stone 8lbs
6/12/19 - invite to CCG meeting received
BROTHER IN LAW FELL ILL. T2D DX! SPECIAL.NEEDS AND A VERY WORRYING TIME (TO DATE) but that's another story.
4/1/19 contact from Sunday mirror. They want to tell my story along side news that the low carb program has been quismet approved and is now in GP apps library and can be prescribed! Story page 18 Sunday 6/1/18 with pics
16/1/19 meeting with my PM at surgery. She is full on backing my presentations in the local community. Giving me her admin guy Adam to use, offer of printing, spreading the word, advertising, booked a room for my first presentation 27th Feb.
27/2/19 presentation went really well. I had a full room. It was a small training room held at one if the local businesses but perfect. Not too daunting for anyone! Everyone got something from it. Next one I'm going to focus on weight loss as this woe is so good for that too.
Surgery asked me to join them first week in April for diabetes prevention week. They gave me my own room for a session at both surgeries. One on 2nd April and one on 4th. I was able to speak to fellow diabetics. Including 2 just diagnosed on the day. I was so happy to be there to tell them 'it's going to be ok'.
Surgery are really behind me and Paul (the only.other pt helping pts, social prescribing, empowerment in the community, who does mindfulness) helping others, got a lovely email from my Practice manager 11th April. She attended a population health event - for a pilot scheme we discussed at PPG this week re patients from HMO’s who had or have suffered with depression- to see if we can find a way of signposting them to social groups etc. To help with any problems they have. She mentioned my PPG group. 'Debra Scott and Paul Shanahan' , they would like us to get involved... As we have both made offers of help , they are going to take us up on the offer.... this may involve group talks about mindfulness sessions from Paul and from me a suggestion of some general dietary ‘ this is what worked for me’ mini talks. As a starting point the communication lead will organise a meeting with the team leader of the neighbourhood team- to let him meet us and see how his health and wellbeing workers could utilise us . I'm very happy
Photoshoot for the daily mail. The amazing Dr Unwin has got into mainstream papers. I was contacted by PR team to be a part of it. They came to my house to do hair, make up and photos. Interviewed by phone. I'm buying daily mail all week as something in every day. I was in day 1. Looking forward to seeing Michele (amazing forum member) in another day. It's really having a snowball effect now. I wont stop until diabetics are given advice that will help. At least offer this. Education is key. If you dont know about it how can you choose it. Current guidelines unbelievable. Eatwell plate. No wonder we have a diabetes epidemic!
April - Contacted by Lola London from the Telegraph. Article on diabetes published with my journey detailed. Confirmed me as an activist. Love it. Published 24/4
July 20th 2019
Real food Rocks networking - fabulous event. Met with
@Goonergal and
@rhubarb73 which was amazing. Icing on the low carb cake was meeting Dr Unwin. Told him about a leaflet I was doing for other pts and asked if I could use his infographs. Absolutely. Approved by NICE and available. Happy days. Leaflet produced with the help of my surgery. My DNs are going to offer this to T2Ds.
@Listlad has been doing some sterling work with his surgeries. We met up. With PM And they now have leaflet. Looking at contacting all local surgeries, meeting up with DNs and showing them.my box if goodies. This includes all leaflets and booklets from Sept Birmingham meet up. Empty packets and tins to show carb content and my journey as a t2d.
July '19
Contacted by the Sun. Interview plus photoshoot (involving pics on.my favourite park in the world, Stanley park) 22/7 Going in week commencing 24/8. Full week about diabetes with lots of other forum.members telling of their journeys too.
August '19
Working with surgery at their request. CCG organising a presentation and my surgery want me and Paul to give a 20 min. talk. to
@100 people. 18th Sept. 5 slides. Our journeys and what work we are doing in the community.
Also going to be seeing patients (15 to 30 minute appointments) for weight loss and bs control advice. And offering follow up appointment. My surgery are right behind me. So much so they have helped me prep a leaflet. Once I come back from my holiday I'm going to contact all local surgeries, hopefully get an appointment with DNs and take in my box of goodies to show them how different it could be. How beneficial it could be for diabetics.
It's a work in progress but we will get there.
What a year it has been – one of the best and most rewarding years of my entire life, my diagnosis has been a blessing in disguise.
I do believe my facebook blogs have inspired a few to follow my footsteps (non diabetics too) and the feedback is absolutely heart warming. I'm so happy as I know what a battle it is to lose even 1lb!!! I had that t-shirt and gave up trying in the end. Moral of this story – NEVER GIVE UP. YOU CAN DO IT!
Special thanks to:
My mum for being my guiding light, loved and missed every single day, but more so at this time of year when she used to move in with us for Christmas and New Year.
My wonderful husband who has been so supportive. HE HIMSELF HAS LOST 1 STONE AND 7 LBS – NOT MAKING AS MANY CHANGES AS ME(HE DOESN'T HAVE TO) BUT SMALL CHANGES WHICH HAVE GIVEN HIM A FANTASTIC RESULT IN JUST 6 MONTHS, WELL DONE!!! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU.
My family and friends, you know who you are.
Diabetes.co.uk forum for introducing me to some wonderful people. Their help and support has been incredible. Totally awesome and a privilege to know.
Armenian Kebab house for my weekly treat, chicken shish no pita bread, lots of chilli sauce and garlic mayo
My local farm who have kept me supplied in eggs, bacon, cream and cheese!
Every journey starts with a single step.
I'm currently all out on Twitter. Following as many Drs and HCPs dietician etc as I possibly can in the hope of spreading the word.