07/09/2025
Wow what an overwhelming number of responses to the poll, thank you so much! It’s so great to understand your barriers to seeking diabetes support.
Now I am going to offer you some solutions!
Finances - I offer appointments cheaper than a lot of other private diabetes educators. If you have a chronic disease plan from your GP you can see me for as little as $48 or $88 out of pocket, depending on length of consult. If you reach out to me, we can also see if you meet my criteria for bulk billed appointments, so no out of pocket costs. If you have never used an insulin pump before, but want to learn about your options, I can offer you a free consultation if it’s your first time meeting with me. And if all of this still doesn’t help, reach out to me and we will find another way! I don’t want cost to be prohibitive to you access support!
Available appointment times - I offer appointments during school hours and a late evening clinic on a Tuesday until 8pm AEST. I can also be super flexible, so if there is a time that suits you better, contact me and we will fit you in!
Too many other priorities- oh man I understand this better than most! But if you are feeling like diabetes has to rate as a priority, then you need to come and see me so I can help simplify your management so that diabetes doesn’t have to be a priority!
Lack of trust in the health system - I get this one too! And you try to ask for help but they write it off as being nothing, you make contact because something is going wrong and it takes weeks to get a response. Well not with me! I am currently working to develop a text messaging service so that you can get the support you need when you need it! I have also worked in public and private, so I understand the systems and how to help navigate what you need!
Fear of judgement or shame - well there is none of that in this space! I won’t judge you as long as you don’t judge me!! Our initial consult will involve me sharing with you some of the things I am not good at when it comes to management and hopefully that will make you feel like you can better relate to me, and there won’t be a single judgement, only ways to help ease your load!!
Feeling like no one gets it- does this need an explanation!? Is someone who has lived with type 1 all of her life doesn’t “get it” then I don’t think you’ll find anyone!! I have done all the highs and lows (figuratively and literally), so I do 100% GET IT!
Don’t want to be told what to do - again in this space that will never happen! I am actually really bad at telling people what to do. I will give you the information you need to make your own decisions and I will support whichever decisions you make! That’s my job, not telling you what to do!!
Limited access to services - if you are being told people can’t help you because they “don’t do diabetes” or don’t know the ins and outs of pumps or hormonal changes or pregnancy, then you need to find new people!! I know these things and if I don’t, I know where to find answers. And I work by telehealth, so you can live in the most remote part of Australia and I will still be able to help you!!
Someone else suggested burnout from having way too many appointments! Diabetes demands a lot, so find a diabetes educator that fits into your schedule and is easy to contact, so you don’t have to feel overwhelmed by “another one”.
If you still have excuses… tell me and I will help you find ways around that too!! There shouldn’t be anything stopping you from getting support to lighten your diabetes load. And who better to talk to than someone who does get it! I’m here for you!!
