As a close associate, it's important not to forget the aspects of your close one that have remained the same despite diabetes. Sometimes, a person who becomes ill or who has an illness may lose connection to these aspects of themselves, and diabetes can seem to take up too much space. As a close one, you can focus on supporting the person behind the illness.
Being close to someone with diabetes puts you in a key position to support their well-being and management of their condition. The foundation of support is openness and a desire to understand what living with diabetes practically means. Sharing thoughts is thus a central part of all relationships. It's also important as a close one to understand that diabetes is a highly individual disease and the experience of living with diabetes is always personal to each individual. Everyone also has their own individual way of relating to diabetes.