Shared Decision Making versus Dr Knows Best.

Steve talks about how he feels about Type 1 Diabetes. He explains that if he was asked to change one thing about his life then it would not necessarily be his Diabetes. He also talks about how his perspective changed as he's progressed through life. His strategy is to take each day as it comes and plan to work towards his long term goals - which is to keep his blood sugars in range and avoid long term problems with Diabetes. He also talks about how there are days when he doest meet his blood sugar targets and hasn't figured out why - but that's part of life and should not take away from your long term path.

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.

Steve talks about two main insights he's gained: Fear is not a great long term motivator - he explains that this main work short term but is not useful long term. Looking after yourself with Diabetes is a long term journey and is best dealt with on a day to day basis. Lastly he talks about interacting and talking to others who have been there before you to help you cope emotionally.

Chris talk candidly about his first experiences of being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. His parents tell him that he has lost weight and was passing a lot of urine. He talks about starting insulin and having urine tests for sugar levels. His first blood sugar testing machine used to be the size of a brick! A key theme he talks about is balance - balance between diet and exercise. He tells about having a regular 'clockwork' lifestyle to be able to use insulin predictably. A major change for him was doing a DAFNE course which allowed him to vary his diet and vary his insulin dose accordingly. Chris describes the Expert Patient programme as a major step in acknowledging his learning over his life. Finally he talks about more flexibility being possible in this day and age.

Steve talks about how Type 1 Diabetes affects his life. Very interesting Diabetes may not be the one thing he would change about his life given the opportunity. He talks about working within boundaries in the short term which will keep long term goals on track. Steve's main message is to treat Diabetes as part of a routine and a lifestyle - using this approach he doesn't feel he needs to dwell too long about long term outcomes.

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.