Hi,
There is a girl at my school who just got diagnosed whereas I have been diagnosed since 2004. She hasn’t approached me about it, but JDRF contacted me regarding offering her support and advice. I think she wants to keep it a secret, but I also feel kind of awkward approaching her in a way that may overwhelm her.
Thanks,
xxEmma
@eshapiro hi Emma, if there is a moment when you are not in the middle of the cafeteria - like maybe a moment when you have a little privacy to talk, it could be easier. go ahead and ask… you won’t break her. type 1 is isolating and for that reason it can be lonely. friends that understand make all the difference. good luck.
2 Likes
Yeah the only problem is that my school doesn’t work that way. There is no universal lunch time. I only see her for like five minutes before class and then never again the rest of day.
1 Like
@eshapiro hi Emma, you could always just try before class… maybe if you become friends you’ll figure out a better time or when you have more time. good luck to you!
1 Like
Have you suggested that she post here about her concerns?
1 Like
Hey Emma,
Maybe you can try getting her email or facebook messaging her. That way it’s in private, but you can still reach out.
1 Like
I have, but I don’t want to overwhelm her since she was diagnosed less than a month ago
1 Like
Hi thanks for the help I ended up emailing her and getting a response so I have a plan to meet with her during a common free. Thank you!!
1 Like
Glad you found a way to connect. For others in this situation I wanted to share something that worked for my daughter and I. Another student/parent gave a note to our school nurse and asked her to deliver it to other T1Ds at the school (at the time there were 4). The note just gave out the senders contact info + the message they were wanting to share (related to participating in a T1D program. It seemed like a very smart way to reach people you don’t know without stepping on anyone.
If the girl wants to keep her diabetes secret that’s both her choice and her right. You might find an opportunity to say something to her like this: “My diabetes can be a hard thing to live with. I am having a difficult time with it today.” That will let her know that you’re a diabetic. That puts the onus on her to talk about her diabetes. You wrote that you were diagnosed in 2004. That is 14 years ago. What is the context here? Are both you and this girl students in a public or private school and are approximately the same age? I can’t imagine any organization violating this girl’s confidence. Again, it is her choice if she wants to keep her diabetes confidential. Be careful.
Hi,
I spoke to her (privately) so a I would not overwhelm her and b not share any information she did not want shared.
Thank you all for your suggestions.
Consider the discussion resolved.