DIABETES 90º NORTH POLE: A GESTURE AGAINST DISCRIMINATION "FUNDACIÓN PARA LA DIABETES".

A. De Francisco, Y. García, E. Valdés, R. Arana;
Fundación para la Diabetes, Madrid, Spain.
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Background and Aims: Along year 2001, Spanish lay media informed about discrimination events related to people with diabetes, e.g. at school and at work. Furthermore, FEDE – Spanish Federation of Diabetes Associations” was carriying out a national campaign against discrimination in driving licenses for people with diabetes.

Taking into consideration this scenario, "Fundación para la Diabetes" a non-profit making organization devoted to increase the quality of life of people with diabetes, decided to inform an activity in order to:

  • Demonstrate how people with diabetes, who is well trained in self-care, can manage themselves in a threatening environment as well as people without diabetes.
  • Obtain collaboration of the media, preferably TV, in order to get as much as possible the attention from the public.
Materials and Methods: We chose to travel from Madrid to the geographic North Pole, a mythic point in the world, in a gesture to demonstrate that people with diabetes well trained in self care are able to manage themselves in a challenging scenario.

The project was accepted by Channel One (public Spanish TVE-1).

A group of six people in total was committed to reach the North Pole in April 2002: 3 youngsters - 18 to 33 years old - with diabetes; one doctor; a TVE team – journalists and TV cameraman – and one member from “Fundación para la Diabetes”

A task force was created to deal with all practicalities relating to the travel from Madrid to North Pole, via Siberia, media coverage, and fund-rising.

Results: The 3 youngsters with diabetes reached the North Pole on 9th. April 2002. During all the travel they managed themselves to deal with uncertainty of travel schedules, jet lag, meal times, food, and temperatures of minus 30 º centigrade. Frequent blood glucose monitoring and flexible insulin therapy patterns decided by themselves were enough to keep all the time glucose level within a safety range. Neither, severe hypoglycaemia nor ketosis occurred. It was not necessary for the doctor any intervention or advice about self-management. The expedition was widely broadcasted by 15 radio stations including interviews with the participants and it was followed during 4 days by TVE-1 through the programme “Saber Vivir” and by TVE-2 in daily news.

Conclusion: Diabetes education and active self control allow people with diabetes to maintain and develop a lifestyle similar to people without diabetes.
Sport activities, adventure travels, mountain climbing, etc. carried out by people with diabetes can be organized to counteract unjustified attitudes and social discrimination for people with diabetes at school, working place, family. Media partnership is a key to remove society misunderstanding of diabetes.