Hello Friends,
My name is Harmandeep Singh Kandhari- A wellness motivator. I have a question for you, guys … How can I properly support and care for my co-worker who is living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)? What kind of diet plan and daily precautions would be suitable to help manage her condition effectively?
Regards
Harmandeep Singh Kandhari
Hello @harmandeepsinghkandh welcome to Breakthrough T1D. In the United States, knowing about a co-worker’s health is already tricky ground. Treating them differently BECAUSE of a health issue could be considered discrimination even it was well intentioned. If I happen to know my co worker was T1 because they volunteered the information, I would treat them exactly the same as any other employee or co worker. If I was in charge of getting snacks for a big meeting, I might include low carb options but I would never announce which one was the diabetic cookie or comment if my T1 co worker selected a high carb treat. If my co worker actually asked for my help (has not happened in my 38 year working career) I’d have a discussion about what kind of help for example if they became hypoglycemic I would share my emergency carbs or if they had an emergency, and they previously asked me, I could intervene on their behalf. I recommend leaving support to what the other person directly asks of you. That’s all I have! 
Welcome @harmandeepsinghkandh , to the Breakthrough T1D Community Forum!
Continuing from what @Joe wrote, if I was in your place, I would ask the co-worker if she wants you to be involved with you offering care. If she would appreciate your help, let her tell you when and how you may need to step in - especially what is needed to do when [not if] her blood glucose level drops too low - hypoglycemia. Each of us is different but living with insulin-dependent diabetes [IDDM] have one thing in common - unexpected hypoglycemia and sometimes assistance from another person.
Just recently I was approached for suggestions from a person in a similar position to you; on return to university from winter break, our grandson’s roommate had been diagnosed with T1D and asked my grandson to help in monitoring his blood glucose - a Follow App on his phone for the roommate’s CGM.
Among suggestions I made was for my grandson to review the guidelines from the doctor and, most importantly to have a supply of easy to use / consume carbohydrates stocked in their rooms. I made sure that they could call me with any further questions.
Feel free to post here when you have questions of your own - we do not offer “Medical Advice” here but rather offer suggestions from personal experience.
Thankyou Joe for sharing valuable suggestions.
Regards
Harmandeep Singh Kandhari
Hi @harmandeepsinghkandh . Welcome to the forum and thank you for asking how best to support your coworker. A challenge we often face is people who tell us what we should and should not do, when they really do not understand Type1 diabetes. Their recommendations might be geared towards people who have Type2 - which is different from Type1; or they may suggest treatments, anecdotal “cures” or recommendations they’ve heard from rumor or social media. We respect the science and each of us learns to apply it to our bodies personally: so comments based in ignorance - even if well meaning - are maddening and frustrating. If you are going to discuss it, learn about it - or ask rather than tell.
You don’t say how you know about your coworker’s diabetes - whether they told you, or if you saw their medical device or saw them doing a finger stick. If they told you, they might be willing to talk about it if you ask out of a desire to learn (not lecture); and they might find it comforting to know you can help if they need it. On the other hand if you saw their CGM, pump or pen you could ask about it - but keep in mind, some people are willing to share, while others are not.
So the best thing you can do is ask your friend if they want any help, or let them know you are willing to help if they need it.