Managing diabetes as a labourer

My name is Ali Muhammad. I’m 35 years old and work as a labourer. I’m also a type 2 diabetic.

My life is one of determination, hard work, and steadfast commitment to family. I’m constantly working for a better life, and to take care of my family’s basic needs.

My diabetes diagnosis

When I was 32, I started experiencing unexplained fatigue and frequent thirst during work hours. In the beginning, I ignored these symptoms. However, because I faced these symptoms so regularly, and my persistent fatigue started to affect my ability to work, I finally decided to visit a local clinic.

A diabetes diagnosis test confirmed that I had type 2 diabetes.

As a labourer, I thought this was pretty normal. I didn’t recognise it as a life-changing moment and thought it was okay to be diagnosed with diabetes.

My life as a labourer and caregiver

As a labourer, I work from sunrise to sunset. It’s physically demanding work, daily.

However, despite the toll it takes on my body, it means I can provide for my family (my wife and 4 children) as well as my elderly parents who depend on me. I’m my parents’ only son, and everyone relies on me. Looking after everyone is my responsibility. This means taking care of their medicines and taking them to regular check-ups. It requires physical endurance and also emotional balance.

Meeting the demands of my labour-intensive job and providing basic necessities to my family is challenging. And it’s even harder when I’m not just a caregiver but also a diabetic – Every day I have to meet the demands of my work but also balance my health and control my blood glucose level.

Physically demanding work will often send sudden cold shocks through my body, and regularly while working my hands will shiver (a sign of hypoglycemia). However, because of my workload, I just have to push my own needs aside and get back to work.

When I finish work, I head home. And at home, I start my second shift, dedicated to my family. Balancing tools at construction sites and providing happiness, joy and education to my children while controlling my blood sugar levels is a constant test.

My silent sacrifice

Fatigue is my most challenging problem. I also suffered from sudden weight loss, and being unable to pay attention to my health became dependent on insulin shots. My fatigue and weight loss aren’t just physical manifestations but a silent sacrifice – They’re the price I paid for the well-being of my family, who are the most important to me.

I don’t know enough about insulin to understand how it works but every day I remind myself to take it – It’s like my superhero medicine.

I also worry about my hands. They get hurt a lot from all the tools I use during work, and the injuries take a long time to heal because of my diabetes. Sometimes my eyesight gets a bit blurry as well.

I often have to take leave from work so I can heal, but thankfully the owner is kind and looks out for me. They often give me extra pay so I can afford my medicine and let me take breaks so I can rest and get better. They understand some of what I’m going through because they have diabetes too.

It’s difficult trying to balance everything. Working out what I should eat, how I should feel, and making sure my blood sugar level is stable is a daily struggle.

But even when things are tough, I still find moments of profound satisfaction. I find joy in the little things. Seeing my kids smile and being there for my parents gives me strength. Every day is a struggle, but they’re all filled with love and the sense that I’m working towards something better.

My financial struggles

Financial instability adds another layer of complexity to my situation. With the cost of diabetes management and physical and emotional health care (including medications and regular check-ups), I face a constant dilemma of prioritising my health against the immediate and basic needs of my family.

It’s a personal battle, and I often make sacrifices behind the scenes that go unnoticed. My children may not understand our financial problems but they see their father struggling and persisting in every situation despite the physical and emotional obstacles.

The benefit of community support

Despite my challenges, I find peace and solace in the support of my community. Local clinics and diabetes support groups have become essential pillars of my strength. Through these places and people, I’ve been able to connect with others facing similar challenges in diabetes care and financial management.

They’ve also provided me with medical guidance and care, as well as a sense of belonging and shared understanding.

The role of education

Dealing with my disease, I’ve realised the critical importance of diabetes education, particularly in communities that have limited resources and awareness around healthy lifestyles.

By increasing awareness and encouraging preventative measures against diabetes, it can be detected earlier. At that point, lifestyle changes and modifications can potentially reduce the burden on people diagnosed with diabetes, like me.

Where I am now

Right now, I’m able to manage my diabetes and keep my blood sugar level balanced by taking medicines recommended by my doctors. This includes a combination of oral medications and insulin injections.

To make work easier on myself, I’ve also changed my working hours to align with my health needs. Now, I work during the cooler parts of the day to avoid dehydration and fatigue.

I’m more careful about my diet as well. I focus on foods like whole grains, lean proteins, vegetables and fruits to help manage my blood sugar level.

These lifestyle changes, along with my medications, have helped me manage my diabetes better and stay energetic – This is crucial because only when I’m healthy can I fulfil the needs of my family.