FRIENDS FOREVER TYPE 1 DIABETES SUPPORT GROUP
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is one of the most common endocrine and metabolic conditions in childhood. Learning to manage T1DM involves a lifelong learning process. When a child is diagnosed with T1DM, it affects the whole family. These children face emotional and social issues related to their disorder especially in our cultural setup. Many look at it as a social stigma. Sharing experiences is a powerful way of learning how to manage these issues. Meeting other people with diabetes can help reduce isolation and be a source of support when needed.
To overcome these psychosocial problems and to infuse confidence in children with T1DM, we at Dr.Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, have started “Friends Forever” – a social support group for children with T1DM and their family members. Friends Forever was formed to provide much needed social and emotional support to not just the children with diabetes, but also for their parents and siblings. It was started in March 2002, from which time they meet on the 2nd Saturday of every month. The meetings are conducted by a team of professionals consisting of diabetologist, dietitian, psychologist and diabetic educator to oversee psychosocial issues arising due to the nature of the illness.
This kind of group therapy prevents the children and their families from feeling isolated, and helps them cope better with day to day issues. Emphasis is also laid on the need for children to get involved in sports, school activities and day trips, by taking proper precautions there by helping them lead a normal life.
Every year the children are taken on a trip to places of interest, for fun, and for, inculcating a sense of curiosity and wonderment and are also involved in cultural activities conducted on special days like World Diabetes Day. Over the years, we have observed that the participant’s self-confidence improves and their negative emotions are alleviated. Each support group program incorporates education, support and fun for the children and the feedback from participants have been very positive and encouraging. The “Friends Forever” support group for children continues to support the children and their families with T1DM in every step so that they are not alone in their journey through life.
FRIENDS FOREVER MEET – September 2022
FRIENDS FOREVER MEET – SEPTEMBER 2022 On 10th of September 2022- we conducted our monthly meeting of 'Friend's Forever'. This time we had a very special guests, Dr. Martha Koch- Editor-in-Chief of the prestigious journal the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology and Dr...
Peer Group Meet July 2022
FRIENDS FOREVER TYPE 1 DIABETES SUPPORT GROUP MEET JULY 2022 A meeting of the Friends Forever Type 1 diabetes support group was held on 30th July 2022 at 4.30 pm in our hospital auditorium All children with poor glycemic control (despite of giving standard treatment)...
Peer Group Meet April 2022
A day with the warriors of Type 1 Diabetes A small Q& A session was conducted on 18th April 2022, between Mr.Lakshminarayana Varimadugu and Mr. Prashanth Mani with our Type 1 children both virtually and Physically, it was a session in order to understand the...
PEER GROUP MEET – MARCH 2022
On 18.3.2022, a workshop on carbohydrate counting has been done virtually by Ms. Jaishree SS – dietitian Manager & Certified Type 1 Diabetes Educator and Ms. Aiswarya R- Dietitian & Certified Type 1 Diabetes Educator. The session had an elaborate session on...
The rights of Insulin: Are we all doing it right?
Peer Group Meet February 2022 The rights of Insulin: Are we all doing it right? A session on insulin was taken on 18.2.2022 in order to throw limelight on the Insulin techniques and the correct methods of administering it. We had Dr. Uthra, Senior Consultant...
PEER GROUP MEET- NOVEMBER 2021
On 22.11.2021 , we conducted a session for children with high Hba1c to bring more confidence and for better management . In the session, we emphasized on the importance of blood glucose monitoring, physical activity, insulin dose adjustment, diet and most importantly...
Stage performances by children with type 1 diabetes
Stage performances by children with type 1 diabetes Every year as part of World Diabetes Day awareness program, children with type 1 diabetes from the Friends Forever - support group perform on stage. This is done in order to reiterate that Type 1 diabetes is only a...
Drawing Competition for children with type 1 diabetes and Interaction with Parents
Another display of talent exhibited by means of a painting competition of different age groups to showcase their creativity.
FIELD TRIPS FOR CHILDREN WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES
An adventurous trip to a faraway place to allow children to function confidently without their parents.
LEARNING FACTS WITH FUN – QUIZ COMPETITION
To impart diabetes knowledge with fun and spirit a quiz competition are conducted. The children were grouped under the name of different vegetables highlighting their benefits, for example…..
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