Africa

Carol Hendricks, South Africa

The first thing that came to my mind when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes was that I would have to live with the condition for the rest of my life. I knew this because I was taking care of my mother who lived with diabetes. I went to her doctor to ask for advice and also looked for support within the community. I noticed that there was limited knowledge about diabetes and that some people living with the condition were not taking their medication.

This concerned me and inspired me to do something to improve awareness and understanding of diabetes. I followed a leadership course to improve my public speaking skills and started collaborating with Diabetes South Africa, where I volunteered to start a support group for people living with diabetes. In twenty years, the group I look after has grown from 13 to over one hundred.

The challenges I have faced living with type 2 diabetes have included eating healthy with my family and accepting to have to inject insulin.

I was advised one day to set a goal in life and decided that I wanted to see my children all grown-up. Today, I am blessed to have four grandchildren.

“I was advised one day to set a goal in life and decided that I wanted to see my children all grown-up.”

“Limited knowledge about diabetes in my community inspired me to improve awareness and understanding of the condition.”

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UK

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