Morshed talks about his experiences with diabetes, he describes how he first knew he had the condition and then goes on to explain how he was told how his ethnicity impacts his experience of diabetes. Like many others with diabetes, Morshed highlights his struggles with getting GP appointments and the frustration of having to wait to see a specialist nurse to access the vital health care needed.

Diabetes week is from the 10th-16th of June, to read further check out Groundswell’s Diabetes appeal as well as Groundswell’s own resources on managing diabetes Managing Diabetes Health Guide | Groundswell.

 

Well, my name is Morshed. My diabetes started when it was diagnosed, that is back in 2009.

When I was having a shower, I found that my left thigh had a funny feeling.

The feeling on that left thigh is not as sharp as it used to be or even on the right thigh, but he did a blood sugar test.

He tested another one, which is called sugar glucose test. It was not that easy to get the GP appointment straight away.

He advised me to start my medication straight away because I am originally from Asia, in particular, Bangladesh.

So he said that Afro-Caribbean-Asian people are most vulnerable. Last month, I needed specialist nurse, diabetes nurse.

I couldn’t get the appointment straightway. I had to wait for about two months. It is frustrating.