It is important for you to know there are other resources available to help you make your transition as smooth as possible. Listed below are websites, social media accounts, and apps that have information and help foster a supportive diabetes community.
There are three organized sections of resources listed below: Dining Hall, Diabetes Management, and Social Media and Community.
Resources for the Dining Hall
Counting carbs is difficult. It becomes especially difficult when you do not know who is making the food or how the food has been cooked. Dining halls are often a source of stress for Type 1 Diabetics new to college because they have to figure out how to adjust their insulin needs to new foods and a new eating schedule.
Here are some resources that could help:
You can download these apps on your smartphone to help you find the correct carb count and nutritional information in different foods. All of these apps are available on the app store.
CalorieKing: Not specific for diabetics. This is a database with nutritional value and information on food and many restaurants.
Diabetes Lite: Specific for diabetics. Tracks insulin, water intake, carb counts, and has a goal setting feature which can be nice if goal setting helps you with accountability!
Diabetes Tracker: Specific for diabetics. However, it does cost money. This app provides information on carb counts, has an educational aspect with management tips, and more. They provide daily and weekly reports specific to you.
Glucose Buddy: Specific for diabetics. Works to help you track exercise, insulin, blood sugar, and more!
Hedia: Specific for diabetics. Helpful for tracking insulin doses and has carb counting information.
Diabetes Management Resources
The websites linked below offer general information and resources about diabetes management. These are resources that provide tips for advocacy and engagement with the diabetes community, working towards a lower a1c, advice for people newly diagnosed, and more.
Beyond Type 1
This is an organization founded my Type 1 diabetics, including Nick Jonas, to help those with diabetes connect, share resources, bring attention to fundraising opportunities for diabetes research, and demonstrate how you can live your life to the fullest with diabetes.
American Diabetes Association
The ADA is America's leading organization in diabetes research, education, and action. It has been around longer than many othering diabetes organization. They provide information for families dealing with diabetes, risks, connections to professionals, knowing the risks that come with diabetes, and organizing for improving diabetes education.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
JDRF focuses on helping to improve the lives of Type 1 Diabetes. They are currently working towards increased government funding for research. Resources on JDRF are useful because they are centered around Type 1. On their website, you can find community engagement opportunities and advice on managing diabetes while you are in your teen and young adult phases of life. This is especially useful while making your transition to college and bridging the gap between your adolescence and adulthood.
Cup Of OJ: a fresh take on living with Type 1 Diabetes
Cup of Oj is a lifestyle blog by Ariana Frayer, a Type 1 Diabetic. She discusses her life with T1D, trying new new foods and drinks and how they affect her blood sugar, different experiences she has had with diabetes, and more. It is an excellent resource for diabetics looking to explore life and embark on different adventures while being conscious of diabetes management. She also has a lot of cute diabetes merchandise if you are looking for diabetes organization bags, fun t-shirts, and stickers:)
Type One Together
This website is centered around providing support for Type 1 Diabetics and their families. It is an important resource for college students because it is important to work with your family and support system while preparing for your transition. The site focuses heavily on normalizing T1D for kids and young people. This will be important in feeling confident, comfortable, and like you can be yourself in college.
Social Media and Community Building
If you are looking to get involved in the T1D community, social media is a perfect place to start. Different social media platforms provide opportunities for connecting with other diabetes, becoming active in advocacy, and creating a place where you feel supported and like you are not alone.
The insulin for all movement has been growing exponentially over the past few years as the
price of insulin in America continues to rise. On twitter, there is often activity regarding the movement, sharing information, and bringing to light the struggle diabetics face accessing affordable insulin and other supplies that are necessary to keep us alive.
You're Just My Type
On instagram, a young person created a page where she shares photos and stories of Type 1 Diabetics and their stories. It is the perfect page to follow if you want to connect with other diabetics, find experiences you relate to, and find comfort in the fact that there are many people living through the same thing you live through.
Happy Pancreas
Happy Pancreas is another page on instagram with positive support and advice for managing your blood sugars. She provides her personal experience with different foods, exercises, and routines that have best helped her form a uplifting perspective on her relationship with diabetes.
Diabetes By Design
This is the instagram page where all of the art featured on this website. The person who designs the art is a Type One Diabetic themself. It is inspiring to see the way they have taken a serious chronic illness and channeled all that comes with the disease into something cool, creative, and relatable for all other T1Ds.
Diabetes Management Platform
located on the App Store
DMP is a new social media platform for all diabetics to connect with one another, share information, and access professional resources. It is an excellent place to make diabuddies and find your diabetes support system and community! While it is still a young platform, the app is quickly gaining traction.
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