FRIENDS FOREVER PROGRAMME – August 2023

The monthly meeting of the Friends Forever support group for type 1 diabetes that took place on August 12th, 2023 was a meaningful and joyous gathering for children with type 1 diabetes and their parents.

Laughter Therapy Session: The session commenced with an invigorating laughter therapy session, where parents and children joined together in hearty laughter, letting go of their stress and rejuvenating their spirits.

Insightful story of Ms. Vidyulatha, Psychologist : Vidyulatha Ma’am, a psychologist, graced the event with her presence and shared a thought-provoking story that underscored the significance of social group meetings. She described individuals facing similar challenges and how they were able to overcome these. The story helped the audience to understand that it is important to focus on the abilities of the people and not on their disabilities. Her narration resonated deeply with the audience, emphasizing the importance of building a supportive community for individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Sweet Cravings and Insulin Management Talk by Aiswarya, Senior Dietitian and Type 1 Diabetes Educator: Aiswarya, a Senior Dietitian and a Type 1 Diabetes Educator, delivered an insightful talk on sweet cravings, insulin management, and maintaining a balanced diet. The  talk shed light on how to adjust insulin dose while eating favorite foods. She explained that there is no need to give up sweets completely; instead, one can eat their favorite sweets once in a while and adjust the insulin dose appropriately.

Diabetes Ketoacidosis, Hypoglycemia Management and Insulin Adjustments. In this comprehensive and informative session, Aiswarya also addressed other critical topics related to diabetes management. She explained how to prevent diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA) and how to manage it if it occurs, hypoglycemia (hypo) management, and insulin dose adjustments to prevent both hyper- and hypoglycemic crises. Her talk provided practical guidance to both parents and children, ensuring a better understanding of these crucial aspects of diabetes care.

Significance of Ketone Strips: An essential tool for managing diabetes at home – ketone strips were highlighted. The importance of having ketone strips readily available in every household with Type 1 diabetes was stressed. These strips allow individuals to monitor ketone levels, enabling early detection of diabetic ketoacidosis and guiding appropriate actions.

Mr. Harichandran, A True Hero:   It was truly inspiring for the children to hear about Mr. Harichandran’s journey with both type 1 diabetes and polio, and how he managed to overcome these challenges to achieve remarkable accomplishments, such as being enrolled in the Indian Cricket Team for challenged individuals. His story underscores the power of determination, resilience, and the importance of maintaining good health.

By sharing his personal experience, Mr. Harichandran not only raised awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with type 1 diabetes and other health conditions but also emphasized the significance of proper blood sugar control for a healthy and fulfilling life. His story serves as a source of inspiration for others who might be struggling with their health conditions, showing them that with determination and the right approach, they too can overcome the obstacles and achieve their goals.

Games for promoting self Love and improving motor skills: The event included activities aimed at promoting self-love and self-esteem among children. Fostering a healthy sense of self-worth is essential for emotional well-being and overall development. The “Self Love” game had a meaningful impact among children.

These kinds of activities helped to identify that there was lack of self – esteem among some children. This indicates that there is a need to boost their self-confidence and help them recognize their inherent value to cultivate positive thinking, self-awareness, and to develop a positive outlook on life.

One more game to improve listening ability and keep children physically active was also conducted.This type of activity helps them develop better concentration and attention. Recognizing the top five winners and rewarding them with prizes motivated children to participate actively and put in their best effort.

The session ended with a group picture cherishing the memories of the event. It captured the sense of unity, fun, and positivity that the children experienced throughout the day.