Gujarat: Striving to put together sweet unions

Ahmedabad: For the family of Veena Chavda (name changed), a resident of Vastrapur, it was important to introduce the family of her prospective groom not only to her close relatives, but also her doctor. “Having Type 1 diabetes , it was important for her prospective in-laws to understand that she can lead a completely normal life,” said a relative, adding that she got married recently.

For Dr Mayur Patel, a city-based diabetologist, it’s all in a day’s work. In collaboration with a city-based marriage bureau, Dr Patel has been instrumental in getting 10-14 patients hitched every year for past five years.

“It all started with hand-holding of very young patients – helping them with understanding the condition, providing suggestions for leading life normally and importantly, dispelling myths. It then extended to matchmaking, helping in safe childbirth and diagnosing newborn children,” said Dr Patel.

Dr Yash Patel, his son and the cornerstone for the project, said that many couples have both boy and girl living with Type 1 diabetes. “There is still stigma attached to the condition, especially for the family of the girl. But we are happy that awareness about diabetes has improved now,” he said.

Family changed eating habits to support daughter-in-law

When Poojaba Gohil was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes two years ago, the family was in for a shock. She had got married just three months before the diagnosis and had no history of the disease. “The condition was diagnosed when she suddenly started losing weight. Tests confirmed it to be diabetes,” said her father-in-law Digpalsinh Gohil, a school principal.

The family supported her in a unique way. “When we got to know that she would have to follow a strict diet, we unanimously decided that we’ll eat only what’s allowed for her,” said Gohil, adding that there is a lot of stigma attached to diabetes but what’s of utmost importance is to provide moral support to the patient, helping him/her to lead life normally.

Living life to the fullest, while creating awareness

Kush Patel was about nine when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Twenty years later, he not only became a super specialist ophthalmologist but was also appointed a young leader of diabetes by the International Diabetes Federation for Southeast Asia. Currently working with a hospital in Nadiad, Dr Patel said that with proper care, diabetes won’t hinder one’s dreams. His wife, Dr Palak Patel, is a dentist and also diabetic. “We take care of each other – he sometimes indulges in food, but I am always there to monitor, him” jokes Palak. “The condition should not be stigmatized – we counsel many on care to be taken at various stages of life so that they can also live to the fullest,” said Dr Patel.