Online portal for diabetes youngsters to engage launches

My Diabetes Story is an internet community that offers people with diabetes and their families a place to interact with one another, to share their experiences, give advice, support and tell their stories.

DUBAI // Young diabetics can provide support and advice to other children with the problem after the launch of a website.

My Diabetes Story is an internet community that offers sufferers and their families a place to share their experiences.

The initiative was launched last week by drugs company Sanofi, in partnership with Emirates Diabetes Society.

Each GCC country has a patient ambassador who guides the conversation. Jordan and Iran also have patient ambassadors.

“Doctors are able to give only limited time to their patients and there is a gap between them. If someone who has the problem talks to them, they feel their problems are understood,” said Dr Abdulrazzaq Al Madani, president of the society.

Shurooq Al Harmoodi, 20, a patient-ambassador from the UAE, had Type 1 diabetes diagnosed when she was 8.

“We share our stories from the time we are diagnosed, and people can seek help about how they can understand their kids’ problems,” she said. “This is also a source of information for them.”

The website is mds.diabetesportals.com.