Author(s): Deeb Asma
Type 1 diabetes is a complex disease with many challenges attached. However, there are many sides of this disease that impact positively on children and families. Behavior of children and young people with diabetes vary according to life style, dietary habits and psychology. Culture of a given area reflects unique features on the disease and affects the impact on life of children and young people with diabetes. It is known that diagnosing a child with diabetes impacts a long-term effect on the child and the family as a whole. Parents (mainly mothers) undergo stages of shock, anger, sadness and even depression. Coping strategies that families adopt are variable with some families being able to cope and adapt quicker than others. Children reaction to the diagnosis and the disease management is also variable with some children refusing injections and testing to others who do not mind them. In this review, the positive side of living with diabetes will be highlighted with special emphasis on the impact of the disease on the families and the positive attitude families and children adopt. Selected life examples will be presented. Overall, diabetes is a complex disease. It requires a long-term adaptation to the management requirements. Some aspects of the disease reflect positively on the patient and the family with a strong impact of culture on its course evolution.
