When diabetes is diagnosed in a small child, its parents begin to wonder what the future will bring for that child. Will s/he be able to live a normal life? Or will the disease be a shadow that will haunt all future dreams? The Diabetes-Parents-Journal (DPJ) invites young people with diabetes to discuss how they live, fulfill their dreams, and integrate diabetes into their lives. 

Katarina Braune (18) is the first to tell us about her life. She has had diabetes for six years. Katarina Braune comes from Dresden, and has been studying medicine at the Uni Halle-Wittenberg since the beginning of the year. She thinks she would like to work as a paediatric diabetologist. During her time at school, she participated in the ‘Youth Researches’ (JuFo) Award and gained second place in Saxony. The theme of her project was how diabetes in young people specifically affects their quality-of-life.

She loves listening to music and attends concerts and festivals. In Dresden, she sang in both oratorio and gospel choirs. In addition, she participates in an internet project for young diabetics (www.diabetes-teens.net). One of DPJ’s editors, Dr. Karin Lange, met her and got to know her at CAMP D, an adventure camp for young people with diabetes, and interviewed her.

Katarina Braune doesn’t have much time. This year, she intends to complete a traineeship as a nurse, and intends to travel to Budapest, Barcelona, and Rome. She will also be on the go as part of Novo Nordisk’s DAWN Youth Project. Fortunately for DPJ, she took some time out to speak to us.

DPJ: How do you manage your diabetes?

KB: I have had diabetes since I was 12. Relatively soon after the diagnosis, I wanted a pump. I have not regretted that decision since. Especially during stressful times, for example, sitting for exams, I can keep my blood sugar under control—thanks to the pump.

DPJ: You won a prize in the JuFo Award by examining the effect diabetes has on the quality-of-life of young diabetics. What was your conclusion?

KB: I found that young people with diabetes have a good quality-of-life. What often poses a problem, however, is the area of physical exertion. This often comes from an external source, for example, through false guidance. Also, mobbing from classmates as well fussing from overly concerned parents and friends get many down.

DPJ: In what way have your parents been most helpful?

KB: Firstly, the diagnosis was a real shock. I thought my life would be turned completely upside down. After a while, however, I found that I wasn’t alone, and that I can live my life how I want, and things didn’t seem so bad afterall. My personal advice to parents and their children is to communicate—not only about diabetes, but also about everything else that makes up life. Also, getting to know others of my age with diabetes helped. In this way, apart from having met wonderful people, it helped me realize that I am not the only one with diabetes, and that there are around 246,999,999 others in the same boat as me.

DPJ: Are there things that parents should avoid?

KB: My study revealed that many parents are extremely worried after the diagnosis. Children and adolescents reported that their parents were so worried that it often led to conflicts and punishments. Parents should try to put themselves in their children’s shoes and to be more relaxed. Too much pressure is not nice, and doesn’t help anyone.

DEJ: How did you experience puberty?

KB: Now and then, the diabetes was a real nuisance, especially when my values swung from one extreme to the other due to all the hormonal and emotional chaos. Sometimes I felt as if no matter what I did, nothing would help. However, with the pump and sufficient dextrose on hand, I managed somehow, even through the hard times.

DEJ: What did your parents and friends do that you found particularly good?

KB: I could and always will be able to rely on my parents and friends. The diabetes, however, is not the centrepoint. My friends often comment on the fact that they hardly realize that I have diabetes at all, especially my friends with diabetes. When I have problems, it helps the most when I can talk about it. In addition, my diabetes team from the Dresdener Uni Clinic helped me a lot. The more open you are, the more people can help.

DEJ: Did your having diabetes influence your decision to study medicine?

KB: I have always dreamt of studying medicine. Of course, my diabetes reinforced my interest in this direction. As presenter with www.diabetes-teens.net and www.diabetes-kids.de, I have had a lot to do with medical themes in recent years. All this has removed any doubt that medicine is exactly right for me. I can well imagine that I will work in the field of diabetes, especially in paediatric diabetes. I am, in any case, interested in paediatrics as a whole.

DEJ: As a doctor, you will eventually have to advise patients. Have you given this some thought?

KB: Already in the first semester I considered the advantages of actually knowing first hand what it is like to have a chronic condition. I will understand the patients well, without having to ask too many questions. Also, I will have a better feeling as to what motivates patients. My own experience, as well as that of my friends, has contributed to this. I hope that I will be able to apply what I have learnt in this first semester, and I hope I will make a good doctor.