DEAR ABBY:
My daughter, a smart, lovely, professional young woman, was recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. She graduated summa cum laude from graduate school, and I am obviously very proud of her.
The problem is, she seems depressed and has gained a lot of weight (50-plus pounds) on her small frame. I know she’s sensitive about her weight, but when I visit her, she does not watch what she’s eating, and her sweet-aholic boyfriend either doesn’t care or is unaware of the damage diabetes can have on an overweight person.
My father was diabetic and died at 55. By then, he was blind, and every part of his body had been affected by this terrible disease. I need to do something, but I don’t know how to approach her about this. I don’t want to alienate her, but I know she’s headed down a very destructive path if she doesn’t take better care of herself. Please give me some ideas on how to HELP. — ALARMED DAD IN THE SOUTH
DEAR DAD:
Have an in-person conversation about this with your daughter and include her boyfriend. Explain to them that diabetes can run in families and can cause severe damage if ignored and left untreated, as you already know. Is your daughter aware that diabetes caused your father’s disability and premature death? She needs to know.
It is crucial that she consult an endocrinologist and learn to manage her condition, which may involve medication, modification of her diet and a regular schedule of exercise. Tell her you love her and will help her if she would like. Then cross your fingers that she will listen and her boyfriend will stop being her enabler.
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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
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