Replacing fear and anxiety with empowerment.

Steve talks about his strategy with his health. He says that most issues with Diabetes can be dealt with or treated if picked up. He explains that there are people who will be able to help if problems are picked up. That help or support can be from various groups including Doctors but also Peer group support and others.

Steve talks about where he would look for information on Diabtes. As he began to take ownership of his Diabetes his first port of call was him mother! This was very fortunate as she has a background in healthcare. As he became an adult, he came across various programmes that he would be advised to. Initially he felt some resistance to these as they felt like being lectured to by people without Diabetes. Later on a course he actually did became quite empowering. This lead to re-engaging with the health service generally and stimulated more web based research also into specific topics he wanted to learn more about.

Chris talks movingly about Stigma he has experienced around having Type 1 Diabtes as a young person and later. He tells a story from school where the schools arrangements for him to get his lunch first in the school hall led to painful comments from his class fellows. He also talks about more recent disapproving comments or impressions from people if he's seen to be drinking a can of Coke when his blood sugar is low. Chris explains that knowledge and awareness will improve these situations and draws parallels with his experiences of his parents moving from Wales into London and being 'other' to the norm.

Daniel talks passionately about how his relationship with his healthcare provide team put him very much in the driving seat of his care. He made it clear that he wanted to know everything and be fully involved in making decision with regards to his health. This worked very well for him. He also acknowledges that this may not be the best situation for everyone. Daniel also takes pains to stress that he knows he's not an Endocrinologist and that he always discusses his thoughts and ideas with his healthcare providers in order to get a better understanding of the science involved.

Daniel, who lives with type 1 Diabetes talks about fears and anxieties which he has experienced. He also talks about how he deals with fears and anxieties. His strategy is around learning more and understanding more about this issue which is concerning him.

Sir Anthony suggests that we should recognise that we’ve spent a lot of our lives Mindful. He explains that it is just a natural state of being. He talks about athletes being Mindful when they perform. He also talks about Mindfulness being giving up the past and the future and living in the present. Sir Anthony suggests Apps or groups are ways of learning and he himself joined a group 40 years ago.