Every year tens of thousands of Australians are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It can be overwhelming. There is so much to learn. Sometimes you don’t feel any different. It can be hard to find the time. Many people don’t know where to turn. “If I Had Known…” is a campaign featuring real stories from real people sharing what they wished they’d known when they were first diagnosed.
Alan was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after starting a new life in Australia with his wife, six kids and $500 in his pocket.
Life was tough. He worked hard. Keeping healthy was not a top priority. But there were serious health complications to come. Eventually Alan needed a kidney transplant.
The good news is the transplant worked. He is healthy.
Life is good.
His message – Your health is too important to ignore.
Dear Alan,
I’ve got some advice for you. When you came to Australia with your wife and six kids in the early 80s you had about $500 in your pocket. Getting started in a new country is tough. I know how busy life was. Getting your qualifications recognised, getting established, raising a family.
Then you were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
It is no surprise it wasn’t on the top of your list. But it should have been. Life gets in the way but you can’t put your health on backburner.
You tried your best. You did a pretty good job of managing it under the circumstances. You didn’t know what was going to happen. Diabetes is an insidious disease. It creeps up on you. Then something stops working. That’s what will happen to your kidneys. That’s why you eventually go on to dialysis. It’s why you’ll need a kidney transplant.
The good news is the transplant worked. You are healthy. Your family are healthy. Life is good.
But there were hard times… maybe they could have been avoided.
Make your diabetes a priority. Even with everything that is going on. Watch what you eat – that can make a big difference to your diabetes management and even prevent or delay some complications.
Staying healthy means more quality time with your family. It’s too important to ignore.
Yours sincerely,
Alan
When Julie was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, she was shocked and uncertain about what her future would look like.
What Julie didn’t realize was this was the beginning, not the end.
She would prove to herself how strong she really is and how she learned to advocate for herself and her health. Today, she walks 75 kilometres every week.
Her message – It’s important you get on top of diabetes now. Make the changes. It’s worth it.
Dear Julie,
I know you’ve just got the test results back. Type 2 diabetes. It’s a shock right?
Well I’ve got an important message for you.
It’s serious. This is your body. Don’t just think you’re going to take tablets and everything will be okay.
You can’t rely on your doctors – they will guide you, but you have to make changes for yourself.
It’s up to you.
Don’t think of this as the end though. It’s not. It’s the beginning. Now you know why you’ve felt so yuck for the last couple of months, why your feet have been tingling.
It’s important you get on top of diabetes before it gets on top of you. Make the changes. It’s worth it.
That’s the tough news.
The good news is you can do it. You are strong enough to make the changes.
I know because you did.
Love, Julie
For Cindy, getting support from the right healthcare professionals helped her make the changes she needed to be her healthiest, happiest self.
She wants everyone to know it’s okay to switch doctors, it’s okay to build the healthcare team around you that you need.
Her message – Build the right healthcare team around you because you can do this.
An application for life insurance led to Joseph being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The road ahead brought some unexpected complications. Eleven cardiac stents, low kidney function and eye problems. Now, Joseph says his diagnosis changed his life for the better. He is healthier and happier than ever.
His message – You have the power to change the course of your life. Make a healthy life your priority. It will be worth it in the end.
Mohammed thought he was too young for something bad to happen. Then he had a stroke and spent a month in hospital. All he could think about was his kids. The journey has been tough but worth it. Today he feels better than he has in years.
His message – Today is the day to get serious – what are you waiting for?
Growing up, there was no one to teach Philip about a healthy diet. By the time he was 30, he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Life was busy with a growing family of six… his health seemed to take a back seat. The hardships came and, four heart attacks later, he needed to learn to walk again.
His message – It will be a struggle. But your willpower will get you through.
Proudly supported by AstraZeneca Australia in the form of an unrestricted grant for this campaign.