"I don't feel sick until I have to pick up a syringe each day to inject myself"-young Larsh, Ghana
I take a different perspective on my experiences with diabetes.
I am a doctor working in developing country in West Africa, Ghana and I have been fortunate to encounter the lives of the brave children, young men and women living daily with diabetes mellitus.
My first ever patient was a young boy 13years old who had been newly diagnosed, I still remember his face, he was scared and so was his father who had no idea about the condition diabetes mellitus. He was 13 therefore was admitted to the adult ward of our hospital, and as though this was not scary enough we had to introduce him to injecting himself with insulin multiple times as day. As scared as he was he took charge of his condition and I am happy to say that he is now 17 years old and in senior high school with great control of his blood sugar.
I take strength from these young ones who brave it each day taking good care of themselves and also thankful for the support from the parents and medical personnel who had sacrificed many time and money for these precious lives.
My first patient inspired me to set up the first ever support group for diabetes for young people living with diabetes in Ghana, Diabetes Youth Care.
Glucometers, strips and sometimes insulin are not always available but there is hope because of the awareness we are creating about diabetes in Ghana and folks are reaching out to help out.
Lets spread the good news and offer support!
Sekondi, Ghana
