classes but stopped. Receives a diabetic magazine but has not found time to read them. Self-Management Has a routine, simple diet, eat a lot of salads and some – of her Guyanese foods, do not regularly and attends tea ‘over eat’. Exercises dances. Made lifestyle changes. Family history father and grandparents had diabetes, from Chinese – background. Spiritual Attends church regularly. Is a devout Christian and believes in – God Guyana Comfortable life as a child but did not get a good education, left – school at 14. Came to England in 1973 with son due to the political scene in UK – Guyana, difficult experience initially due to the type of work available but the found a reasonable job in a large department store. Settled down to life in the UK but socialised with the Guyanese community. Guyanese diaspora Very active in the Guyanese community, arranges – dances and has many contacts in the UK. Involved with son and family and with step siblings abroad. Support From family and a lot of friends. you stay here long enough, – “If the phone will start ringing and won’t stop”. Losses Sister died of cancer overseas. Very upset when she received the – news. Strengths Demonstrates strength of character, has taken control of her – diabetes, expressed reluctance in joining the group as has a very busy lifestyle perhaps contributed to diabetes. significant statements Shirley’s Diagnosis Eventually diagnosed in 1998, 12 years ago. – Diagnosis Delayed diagnosis after seeing the doctor on several occasions. – Shocked- like end of world Symptoms Recognised something was wrong , tiredness, blurred vision and – losing weight rapidly
classes but stopped. Receives a diabetic magazine but has not found time to read them. Self-Management – Has a routine, simple diet, eat a lot of salads and some of her Guyanese foods, do not ‘over eat’. Exercises regularly and attends tea dances. Made lifestyle changes. Family history – father and grandparents had diabetes, from Chinese background. Spiritual – Attends church regularly. Is a devout Christian and believes in God Guyana – Comfortable life as a child but did not get a good education, left school at 14. UK – Came to England in 1973 with son due to the political scene in Guyana, difficult experience initially due to the type of work available but the found a reasonable job in a large department store. Settled down to life in the UK but socialised with the Guyanese community. Guyanese diaspora – Very active in the Guyanese community, arranges dances and has many contacts in the UK. Involved with son and family and with step siblings abroad. Support – From family and a lot of friends. “If you stay here long enough, the phone will start ringing and won’t stop”. Losses – Sister died of cancer overseas. Very upset when she received the news. Strengths – Demonstrates strength of character, has taken control of her diabetes, expressed reluctance in joining the group as has a very busy lifestyle perhaps contributed to diabetes. Shirley’s significant statements Diagnosis – Eventually diagnosed in 1998, 12 years ago. Diagnosis – Delayed diagnosis after seeing the doctor on several occasions. Shocked- like end of world Symptoms – Recognised something was wrong , tiredness, blurred vision and losing weight rapidly