Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDEAmerican Diabetes Association AuthorSan Francisco, CaliforniaCan we really stop diabetes? From the perspective of a diabetes nurse educator who spends most waking hours in the trenches of trying to ease the challenges facing people with diabetes and their families, this idea sounds implausible. Yet any lofty, seemingly insurmountable goal starts with a dream, thinking big, seeing the forest through the trees, and by starting small. In my opinion, stopping diabetes requires prevention on all fronts: preventing it in the first place for the 57 million at risk individuals and preventing the consequences of uncontrolled diabetes for the 24 million people who have it in the United States alone. How? We need to join forces to exponentiate our efforts — between researchers, policy makers, healthcare communities and most importantly, families and individuals. Let’s start a grassroots movement in each of our kitchens and daily activities. Are you nurturing your body with healthy eating and being active? Do you have the tools needed or belong to the 90% of people with diabetes who has never seen a diabetes educator? Learn what works for you. Health is not passive — it requires action. Simon Bailey said it perfectly, "The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine." What habits do you need to change? Emily Dickinson wrote, "Dreams — are well — but waking is better." Let’s put our dreams into action. And one day, we will stop diabetes. |