Are you living with type 2 diabetes? Has your GP hinted it might be time to start insulin? Have you tried all oral medications available and yet your blood glucose levels are still higher than your target range? Don’t bury your head in the sand. Our program ‘Living with Insulin’ was made for people just like you. It is also a great program for people already living with insulin (with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes), that might benefit from refreshing their knowledge.

We all need insulin for our bodies to function properly. If you don’t have enough insulin you will feel tired and be at risk of long-term complications. Starting insulin will give you so much more energy and dramatically reduce your risk of going to hospital with high blood glucose levels.

Read our testimonials from real people, renamed for privacy, who discovered that they really can live better with insulin after attending the workshop.

Jim

Jim is a 67-year-old farmer living with type 2 diabetes who has lost a lot of weight and is very active. He takes tablets but his blood glucose levels are still rising and he has less energy these days. He was reluctant to start injecting insulin but he now says: “After hearing I will have more energy and understanding how simple injecting insulin will be, I feel ready. It was a boost to hear from other people who also had fears about starting on insulin.”

Cheryl

Cheryl is a 50-year-old receptionist living with late onset type 1 diabetes. She was initially diagnosed with type 2 diabetes due to her age at diagnosis. “My blood glucose levels were going higher and higher regardless of the dieting, exercise and medication,” she says. “It was very frustrating until I went for a specialist appointment and was sent for further tests. Starting insulin was a complete relief. Attending the living with insulin program was of huge benefit to me. I have a greater understanding of diabetes. After sharing the experience with other people, I don’t feel alone. I know what to do and how to find help when I need it.”

Bob

Bob has used insulin for the past decade but came along to refresh his knowledge.

“I really needed to learn all over again about using insulin,” he said. “It’s like when you have had your driver’s licence for many years, bad habits creep in and the road rules change over time. I realised after attending the course that there was a lot I could improve on. It was great to share some of the frustrations I feel out loud and to hear how other people cope with injecting insulin on a day to day basis.”

The small group in the Living with Insulin program allows people to share experience and knowledge freely. While you will be guided to learn about insulin and diabetes, your facilitator will use your knowledge and experience to help you live well with insulin.