A Self-Advocate’s Guide To Diabetes

Last Revised: May 2025

IHPP guides are for educational purposes only. The illustrations and information about anatomy are for learning about the human body, health conditions, and preparing for appointments. These guides should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems. These guides are not a replacement for seeing a licensed medical professional. Please talk with your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns about your health.

Transcript:

A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Diabetes

Created by the Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council

This guide helps you understand diabetes and how to take care of your health if you have it.

Diabetes means there is too much sugar (glucose) in your blood.

What is Diabetes?

Your body makes glucose from the food you eat.
Glucose gives your body energy.
Insulin, made by your pancreas, helps glucose move from your blood into your body’s cells.
When your body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it well, your blood sugar becomes too high — this is diabetes.

Types of Diabetes

Type 1: Your pancreas does not make enough insulin.
Type 2: Your body cannot use insulin well.
Gestational Diabetes: A kind of diabetes during pregnancy that usually goes away after giving birth.

There is no cure, but diabetes can be managed with lifestyle changes and medicine.

Managing Diabetes

Work with your healthcare provider to create a plan that works for you.

You should:

See a doctor regularly for blood tests and blood pressure checks
Eat healthy and understand how foods affect blood sugar
Be physically active most days (like taking walks)
Take your medication the way your doctor tells you
Monitor your blood sugar using:
- Blood sugar meters
- Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM)

Take Special Care of:

Your feet
Your eyes
Your mouth

Diabetes can cause problems in these areas, so regular exams are important.

Healthy Eating Tips

Choose foods like beans, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and low-sugar drinks
Healthy food can be expensive, but there are places to get it for free or low cost:

Resources to Help Find Food:

SNAP / EBT / 3SquaresVT
Food shelves
Soup kitchens
Community gardens
Dial 211 for help in your area
USDA National Hunger Hotline: 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479)

If You're New to Diabetes

Feeling stressed is normal
Start small — focus on one habit at a time
Set goals with your healthcare provider
Be patient with yourself and ask for help when needed

You can live a long and healthy life with the right support and habits.

What is The Inclusive Healthcare Partnership Project (IHPP)?

IHPP believes everyone should have tools to support their own health.

IHPP Goals:

Create plain language health info for people with developmental disabilities
Help healthcare providers communicate well with neurodiverse patients

Last revised: January 2025
Learn more: http://www.ihppvt.org

Supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Award: $95,319.