It can impact everyone differently
Each family member’s experience has been different. My dad for instance, never really opened up about how diabetes affected him emotionally. He’s a proud man and has always kept a stoic front. Even now, he won’t speak openly if he’s feeling unwell. He managed it mostly in silence and I think that set the tone for the rest of us.
My brothers had a much harder time coping. Their diagnosis came with more emotional and physical turmoil, and they both struggled to understand what was happening to them initially.
"Support was there in the form of family, but I think they lacked access to clear, digestible medical information early on."
There was a lot of fear and confusion, especially with the changes that were suddenly required.
They both felt overwhelmed, scared and in denial at first. There’s a strong sense of shame in some communities around illness – especially chronic conditions like diabetes, and I saw that play out in how my brothers processed it.
Supporting my family
As a family member, I felt helpless at times. I wanted to support them but didn’t always know the right way. There’s also the emotional toll of watching someone you love suffer through something that feels preventable, yet in some ways, for our family, felt inevitable.
For other people in a similar situation, I’d recommend being patient and listening more than you speak. Diabetes can be taxing emotionally, not just physically. Offer support without judgement. Educate yourself – it’s easier to be supportive when you understand what they’re going through. Also, try to encourage them to build habits slowly rather than expecting overnight change.