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Marta’s Story: Building a Type 2 Diabetes Community

As part of the Long Story Short series, we are sharing the stories of people around the world who are living with type 2 diabetes. This is Marta’s story.

Meet Marta, a positive and energetic volunteer living in Italy, who spearheaded the opening of a local diabetes association to support people in her community living with type 2 diabetes. Having found the right treatment for herself by following her diabetologist’s advice, she now encourages others to do the same.

Overcoming insulin therapy fears: Marta's personal journey

 

Marta’s experience with the condition began at a young age. Growing up, she saw her father manage his type 2 diabetes with insulin injections multiple times a day, with her mother’s support. After Marta’s mother passed away, her father found it difficult to manage his condition on his own, so Marta took on the role of his primary caregiver. To deepen her understanding of type 2 diabetes management, she soon began joining him on his visits to their local diabetes centre and engaging with the diabetologist to learn more. 

The diabetologist noticed Marta’s fast-growing knowledge about type 2 diabetes and suggested she take the lead on opening a local chapter of a national diabetes association in her town to support and educate others. Initially hesitant, Marta finally agreed one year later, deciding she wanted to share the knowledge about living with type 2 diabetes she had gained from her father’s diabetologist. Over time, she became an active volunteer in the Italian Diabetes Association in her town. Here, she dedicated time to organising courses with doctors and nurses to educate her community about diabetes, including different aspects of diabetes management such as nutrition, physical activity and the psychological impact. Marta became deeply involved in the local diabetes community, offering support, education and a listening ear to people living with type 2 diabetes.

‘At first, I was definitely not happy about taking insulin’

 

When Marta herself was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, her new diagnosis didn’t scare her – it motivated her to prioritise her health and make lifestyle changes to manage diabetes. She began organising walking groups and adopted a healthier diet, with support from her diabetologist.

When her diabetologist recommended that she start insulin therapy, Marta was not happy about it as her perception was formed by observing her father inject himself multiple times a day. This is not uncommon – fear of injections and misconceptions around insulin can be a barrier to starting treatment1.

Although initially hesitant, she followed her diabetologist’s advice and began insulin therapy to manage her type 2 diabetes. Since then, her perspective on insulin therapy for type 2 diabetes has changed dramatically. She has noticed a positive impact on her overall well-being, both mentally and physically. A much simpler medication than she initially thought, insulin has helped her stay organised and take better care of her health.

‘I became more passionate about spreading diabetes education and support following my diagnosis’

 

Having been on insulin therapy herself, Marta now uses her experience to inform the way she interacts with people living with type 2 diabetes, helping her build deeper connections. Marta now sees her work with the local diabetes community in a completely different light, and she is determined to dispel misconceptions about insulin therapy in her community. While some believe insulin may impose restrictions and impact their quality of life2, this doesn’t have to be the case. Marta is passionate about educating people, taking care to emphasise how insulin therapy has evolved following years of discovery and innovation. There is now a range of insulin therapies available for people with type 2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes3.

‘By educating yourself, you realise that the right diabetes management approach helps you feel good’

 

Using her own experiences as a way to connect with and care for others more deeply, Marta has brought comfort to people in her local community living with type 2 diabetes. Her consistent message to others is to find the right therapy with the help of your doctor and stick to it, as it is essential for overall well-being. 

Has your doctor spoken to you about insulin therapy, or are you finding it hard to manage your current insulin routine? Read through our guide and take notes on questions you can ask your healthcare professional.

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Have questions about insulin therapy for type 2 diabetes?

 

We researched the most frequently asked questions around starting insulin therapy by people living with type 2 diabetes and we have compiled the answers.

Have your questions answered here.

References
  1. Brod M, Alolga SL and Meneghini L. Barriers to initiating insulin in type 2 diabetes patients: development of a new patient education tool to address myths, misconceptions and clinical realities. Patient. 2014;7(4):437–450. 

  2. Benroubi M. Fear, guilt feelings and misconceptions: barriers to effective insulin treatment in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2011;93 Suppl 1:S97–99. 

  3. Hirsch IB, Juneja R, Beals JM, et al. The Evolution of Insulin and How it Informs Therapy and Treatment Choices. Endocr Rev. 2020;41(5):733–755. 

Learn more about insulin in type 2 diabetes

Managing diabetes as a family

Managing diabetes as a family

Type 2 diabetes doesn't impact everyone in the same way. And the person with diabetes is rarely the only one affected.