| When you go to work, your diabetes goes with | | | | readily available should you need to treat a low. |
| you. | | | | 8. Take your equipment with you |
| You get up, get showered, get breakfast, get to | | | | - Keep your blood glucose meter and supplies |
| work. You have bills, therefore you have a job. | | | | where you can reach them. Don't leave blood |
| But you also have diabetes. You have to care for | | | | glucose meters or insulin in the car. Extreme |
| your diabetes while you're at work. Here are 10 | | | | temperatures can affect them. |
| tips for merging your diabetes care with your | | | | 9. Watch out for stress |
| career. | | | | - Stress can wreak havoc on your blood sugars. |
| 1. Wear medical identification jewelry | | | | Stress can cause either high or low blood sugar. It |
| - If you ever need medical assistance at work, | | | | differs from person to person, and sometimes |
| the emergency medical personnel will know you | | | | from situation to situation in the same person. |
| have diabetes. | | | | Stress may mask symptoms of low blood sugar, |
| 2. Decide who to tell | | | | or prompt completely different symptoms. |
| - All things being equal, it might be in your best | | | | Frequent monitoring is your best defense. |
| interest to let a few trusted co-workers or your | | | | 10. Keep good diabetes control |
| boss know. Just for your own safety. | | | | - The best thing you can do to remain productive |
| 3. Give your co-workers a chance | | | | is to stay healthy. Don't let your diabetes get so |
| - Don't just assume that your boss won't | | | | far out of control that you're not able to work. If |
| accommodate you, or that your co-workers | | | | you're eating well, exercising, and controlling your |
| won't be helpful. Give them a chance to grasp | | | | blood sugars, you will have a productive work life. |
| what diabetes is and understand how they can | | | | The payoff from a job well done is that if and |
| help you, particularly if you've been diagnosed | | | | when you need to take time off for your |
| since starting your current job. Diabetes may be | | | | diabetes care, your boss and co-workers will |
| as new to them as it is to you. | | | | remember your good track record and be that |
| 4. Get it in writing | | | | much more willing to cover for you or help you |
| - If necessary, get a doctor's note. It may help to | | | | with scheduling. By communicating with your |
| get a medical statement from your doctor saying | | | | employer and taking responsibility for your care, |
| what your diabetes care needs are. Present it to | | | | you can incorporate your diabetes care into your |
| your company nurse or human resources | | | | work life successfully. |
| department, and make sure your supervisor gets | | | | If you feel that your employer is not making |
| a copy. | | | | reasonable accommodations to allow you to care |
| 5. Be your own advocate | | | | for your diabetes at work, contact the Equal |
| - Your local hospital or diabetes center may offer | | | | Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) at: |
| programs through which diabetes educators can | | | | (800) 669-4000 or (800) 669-6820 TTY. |
| come to your workplace and explain to your | | | | Ask your doctor about diabetes and have your |
| human resources department, supervisors, or | | | | blood sugar checked several times a year. |
| co-workers what diabetes is and how they can | | | | For more information about diabetes, including a |
| make the workplace more diabetes-friendly. See | | | | Diabetes Quiz and a Free booklet, visit the |
| if your employer is willing to host such a program. | | | | Hope4Diabetes website at: |
| 6. Don't abuse the system | | | | This 20 page FREE booklet will provide you with |
| - Unfortunately, there are people who claim | | | | in-depth information on comprehensive diabetes |
| extensive health challenges and reap disability | | | | care. The 7 principles, or steps, will help you to |
| benefits their situation may not warrant. That | | | | understand, manage and diagnose your potential |
| makes it harder for everyone. It's best to save | | | | diabetes risk. |
| sick days and disability pay for when you really | | | | It could help you live a longer and more active life. |
| need them. | | | | The booklet is Yours absolutely FREE - No Risk! |
| 7. Plan ahead | | | | Share it NOW with the people you love and want |
| - The biggest challenge many people with diabetes | | | | to Keep alive! |
| face is access to meals and breaks. Have snacks | | | | |