World Diabetes Day
Today, on World Diabetes Day, we share the stories of two individuals with diabetes receiving care at FAME's diabetic clinic. We inquired about their experiences in discovering their diabetes, the impact and transformations it has brought to their lives and their perspectives on what World Diabetes Day means for them.
“Don’t feel alone because of this disease”
Marera outside of FAME’s Ward 1.
Last year, at 33 years old, Marera* visited FAME after experiencing symptoms of body weakness and dry mouth. It was then that he received a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.
Marera is employed at a tourist lodge in Serengeti, situated 70 miles away from his hometown in Ngorongoro. In pursuit of a brighter future for his wife and three children, he temporarily left them behind in his home village to work at the lodge.
“I live far away from home because that’s where I found a good job with good pay. I need this job to help pay for my children’s school fees and give my wife a comfortable life. The days are very long, but I consider this job much easier than looking after large herds of cattle, which I did when I was younger! That’s why, when I started feeling weak and sick to the point where my manager noticed and called me out for poor work performance, I knew something was very wrong.”
Having visited FAME a few times before, Marera decided to return and undergo a full body check-up. He was puzzled by the persistent weakness he had been experiencing for several months.
“When the doctor did tests, he said I have type 1 diabetes and will need insulin for the rest of my life. He told me the symptoms I felt, like weakness, were because of high blood sugars untreated for a long time. My first question was, ‘What is this insulin and where can I get it?”
Marera approached his illness with a positive mindset. As he puts it, he 'accepted his fate and collaborated’ with the doctors on the best way to manage the situation.
“I was sure I would get better and go back to work. The FAME medical staff really helped me; they explained what type 1 diabetes is and how to inject and store insulin. I had a small notebook with me and wrote down many things they told me to follow so I wouldn’t forget anything.”
When asked about how life has changed since his diagnosis, Marera explains:
“I wouldn’t say my life has changed much. When I have insulin and take my shots, I feel normal, just like before my diagnosis. By taking insulin and sticking to a healthy diet with less salt and more vegetables, you wouldn’t even know I was sick if you saw me working!”
What challenges has he encountered since being diagnosed?
“It’s a long journey from my workplace in Serengeti to FAME, about 300 miles. I take insulin for three months and then return to collect more for the next three months. This is challenging because the trip is not only far but also expensive. Although my boss and the lodge management are supportive and allow me time off to pick up medicine at FAME, it’s not always easy for me to make it on time.”
This happened recently when Marera couldn't pick up his insulin on time and went a week without it. When he finally reached FAME to get his insulin, his blood sugar levels were so high that he was on the verge of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and had to be admitted to bring his sugars down.
“I’m doing my best, measuring my sugar often with a blood glucose meter and following the doctor’s advice for twice-daily injections. I’m setting aside money to buy a small fridge to store twice the amount of insulin for six months at a time. While the lodge lets me use the kitchen fridge, it’s not always reliable. My insulin sometimes gets thrown away or ruined in the busy kitchen where not everyone understands its importance.”
Marera spent a week at FAME before he was well enough to return home. He expresses gratitude to FAME for caring for him and saving his life. When asked if he has advice for fellow diabetics or those newly diagnosed with diabetes:
“I advise everyone to accept their situation and keep going! Follow the doctor’s advice and always take your medicine. Don’t feel alone because of this disease! There is a lot of support available. Personally, FAME has been a great support for me through their diabetes clinic and I’m thankful to them.”
“There's a lot more information and support available for people with diabetes”
Mzee Leina
Mzee Leina* is 55 years old and received a type 1 diabetes diagnosis 16 years ago.
“When I found out I had diabetes, I worked as a guard at a tourist lodge because I was big and strong! However, after two of my older brothers passed away one after the other, my body got very weak and I couldn’t do much. Thinking it was just grief, I didn’t go to the hospital. When I finally went, I believed I had malaria and asked for malaria medicine. They did different tests and diagnosed me, but it was too late and the high sugars had already damaged my body. Two years later, I had to have my leg amputated.”
Following his diagnosis, Mzee Leina attempted to return to his job as a guard. However, he was too weak and frequently fell asleep during his shift, lacking the strength to patrol the property and ensure its safety. He was eventually let go from his position. Soon after, his leg swelled significantly, leading doctors to recommend amputation below the knee.
“I wish I had known about FAME sooner. They might have saved me from losing my leg. It was only after the amputation that a friend told me about FAME and their weekly clinic for diabetics. When I came to FAME, I learned how to use insulin. The medical staff advised me on how many injections to give myself every day and what kind of food I needed to eat.”
Mzee Leina encounters numerous challenges after his leg amputation because of diabetes, but he is determined to build a life for himself.
“Since I started coming to FAME, my health has really improved. I can now do some small-scale farming at home, which gives me food and is a source of income as I sell some of my produce in the local market. I am happy.”
Mzee Leina has advice for newly diagnosed diabetics:
“Take care of yourself and go to the doctor if you feel unwell. If I had understood the importance of caring for my health and taking medicine when I was diagnosed, I might have avoided losing my leg. Back then, information was limited and even doctors didn’t know much about the disease. But things have changed and now there’s a lot more information and support available for people with diabetes.”
*The patients' names have been changed to protect their privacy and permission was secured to share their stories. The first interview has been translated from Swahili to English and the second from Maasai to English.