Connecting With Others
Wearing diabetes technology allows you the ability to connect with a broader community that share similar experiences. It creates a dialogue about your diabetes journey. Diabetes can sometimes feel isolating, but openly displaying diabetes technology can serve as a conversation starter and an invitation for others to share their own stories.
Online communities, support groups and social media offer a safe space for you to connect, share your triumphs and challenges, and find comfort in the support of others who truly comprehend the difficulties of living with the condition.
Freely displaying diabetes tech also allows for public awareness and education. By normalising the visibility of these devices, you promote understanding and break down misconceptions surrounding diabetes.
I want to show people how technology helps me to better manage my diabetes and live more flexibly. When a person asks me, “What is that on your arm,” I honestly say, “It’s my FreeStyle Libre sensor and I can check my glucose with a quick scan with my phone◊.” This awareness helps to change the perspective on diabetes stigma and create better conversations around diabetes.
Boosting Confidence
There is a sense of vulnerability about revealing your diabetes to others, but it can support your mental well-being too. Wearing diabetes technology openly can be a powerful statement of self-acceptance and confidence.
Today, people are increasingly embracing their devices and incorporating them as part of their style. By proudly displaying your diabetes technology, you can challenge societal stigmas surrounding chronic conditions. This act of self-expression can help break down barriers and promote acceptance, both from yourself and from others. Moreover, it allows people with diabetes to redefine their identity beyond their condition, emphasising their strength and resilience.
I feel a sense of relief when I am wearing my diabetes technology in plain sight. I don’t need to hide it from anyone or even myself. Seeing the FreeStyle Libre sensor on the back of my upper arm offers me peace of mind that diabetes is just a part of me and does not define me. Ultimately, it has built my self-confidence with diabetes and makes me comfortable in my own skin.
Enhancing Diabetes Management
Diabetes technology has come a long way in improving self-management and quality of life. My FreeStyle Libre sensor provides glucose readings which I can see on my phone◊, eliminating the need for frequent finger pricks†. And then there’s the connected mobile applications. First, FreeStyle LibreLink◊ allows for seamless tracking of glucose levelsφ, carbohydrate intake, and insulin doses. It gives me the foundation to want to learn more about my diabetes and be better engaged with it. I can also share my glucose data with others using the LibreLinkUp app§.
Wearing diabetes devices promotes better overall diabetes management by providing you with immediate access to the essential information. This increased control can lead to better overall glucose management, reducing the risk of complications and improving your mental health.
By gaining insight into your diabetes management, you are encouraged to take more control of your diabetes. Diabetes management becomes more accessible and convenient changing the way you think about your diabetes.
Wearing diabetes technology openly and proudly is more than just a fashion statement; it is a powerful symbol of connection, confidence, and improved management. By embracing these devices, you can inspire others, challenge societal norms, and find strength within yourself to keep going.
The advancements of diabetes technology have not only transformed diabetes management but also provided a platform for people to come together, support one another, and build meaningful connections. So this summer and beyond - celebrate the power of technology, rock your devices, and take pride in your ability to thrive with diabetes.
Erin Dolan lives in Ireland with her husband and two children. Erin is a Diabetes Health Coach and is passionate about supporting others living with the condition. You can follow Erin @crazyaboutdiabetes on Instagram and Facebook or visit her website.
Erin is a FreeStyle Libre Ambassador. The views expressed are her own and not necessarily those of Abbott.
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