Men living with diabetes: minimizing the intrusiveness of the disease

In this paper we present the findings from the second of four Participatory Action Research (PAR) groups with men and women who have been diagnosed wi th type two diabetes. The findings of the men's group are reported here. People who have received a diagnosis of diabetes must immediately absorb a great deal of information about how to control their diabetes, care for the mselves and make lifestyle changes. In this study, we have asked men about this transition and about what it is like to live with diabetes. We aimed to understand how people with type two diabetes incorporate chroni c illness into their lives. Utilizing the processes of PAR, we created a co nducive environment for the voices of people with diabetes to be clearly he ard in relation to their health. Men who live with type two diabetes met with a researcher and two Clinical Nurse Consultants, for two hours, once a week, for four weeks, during Novem ber 1998. The men expressed that diabetes had made a positive impact on their lifesty le; they viewed diabetes as part of life and not as an illness. Men chose f oods with confidence; their concern about potential complications meant the y chose to take better care of themselves. They were confident in their kno wledge of diabetes, and while they took responsibility for themselves, bein g supported by their partner was helpful in managing their diabetes. They m anaged their life with diabetes by minimizing the intrusiveness of the dise ase.