'You are the only diabetes consultant who will always be available'

It has always been my opinion that those who suffer from any chronic illness, particularly diabetes, should become as self sufficient as possible. 

My lifelong hobby of survival skills has encouraged me to be more independent. 

Diabetics are great planners, so diabetes should not prevent you from doing anything, you just need to plan ahead! It is what you don’t plan for that will catch you out.

I taught myself to control my insulin and diet to cope with the changing situations that life throws at us. Despite what doctors say, life is not always predictable. 

With a little common sense, I learned to climb mountains, build shelters, navigate over long distances, design diabetes specific survival kits that contain insulin delivery systems, and a steady supply of glucose and water, as well as blood sugar monitoring devices. 

If my blood sugar was two points too high, I learned to take just the right amount of insulin to reduce it by only the two points. 

I set myself limits under which I will adjust my blood sugar levels before I undertake any strenuous exercise. 

I have taught myself to properly treat minor wounds that could become infected and cause trouble.  These simply learned lessons have served me well.  After all, I am always there, the doctor isn’t!  My diabetes is my responsibility, not someone else’s.

I later taught survival skills to other people.  When my son was born with diabetes, I taught him all that I knew about the importance of good control, and all of my own survival knowledge. 

The knowledge we gained was practised on a field trip once a year as a family.  Good planning is what makes it possible.

If you can normally climb five hundred feet before you run out of energy, you just plan your first stopping point at four hundred feet.  There you check your blood sugar levels and adjust it while you rest and plan the next four hundred feet. 

Always have more than one plan for each section, and carry all that you need to complete both plans.

You will not find any doctors surgery or supermarket half way up any mountain. If you need a supermarket to live, you are not living!  Teach yourself to improvise.

A good understanding of your condition and a knowledge of how to correct any problem will benefit you immensely. 

So when your doctor advises of a change in your treatment, ask them why the change is necessary, don’t just accept what the doctor says, learn why they are advising you of the change.  You are talking to an ‘expert’, get as much out of them as you can!

Remember, you are the only diabetic consultant that you will always have available!