You’re moving into your new apartment or dorm room for college and just met your new roommate. You don’t know each other, but figure that overtime, you will become great friends. One day, you notice there is a prescription left on the counter for insulin. You figure it must be your roommates, but you don’t know how to approach the subject of diabetes. What should you do?
Scenarios such as this one occur to college students every year, and it is important to learn how to approach the subject of diabetes. The number of people living with diabetes has increased drastically over the years, so the likelihood that this could happen to you is greater than ever. Matt Tutelman has had a similar experience. Having been a diabetic in college, Tutelman has great advice for someone who may want to approach the subject with their roommate.
First, your instinct may be to want to ask your roommate if they have diabetes; however, it is important to let your roommate tell you in their own time and in their own way. People differ and the subject may be more delicate to one person than another. They will tell you as soon as they feel comfortable enough to approach the subject.
Once your roommate is comfortable enough to tell you, be open to learning about how to test for blood sugar and how insulin shots are administered. In college, Tutelman taught his roommate how to administer a shot and check for blood sugar in case there was an emergency. Tutelman recalled there was even a time where his roommate checked for his blood sugar, while he was sick and sleeping, because his roommate was concerned.
You may want to get them a medical ID bracelet, assuming they don’t already have one. Tutelman said the best benefit of one is peace of mind. It will ensure your roommate that if a medical emergency were to occur, others would know of their condition. You don’t have to settle for something clunky that looks like a hospital bracelet. Companies today provide stylish types that don’t even look like they contain medical information, like these fashionable medical ID bracelets from Hope Paige. With the holidays approaching, these would also be a great, inexpensive present.
Another issue for a diabetic college student may be dealing with their diet. Tutelman was diagnosed before he came to college, so he already had a healthy-based diet. But for someone who has been newly diagnosed, you may want to keep-in-mind that maintaining a healthy diet is important for them, especially if they struggle with getting into the routine of eating healthy and remembering to take their insulin. If they seem to be feeling ill, don’t be afraid to ask them if they have remember to taken their insulin. It is best to be alert and supportive at the same time. The American Diabetes Association has some great tips on eating healthy for diabetics that you or your roommate can reference.
About the Author
Becky Bennett is a freelance writer who writes for 352 Media Group, a digital marketing and Web design company.
