Incidentally, apart from diabetes–education that is received by the members there is a lot of inspiration which they receive, especially the newcomers, who would otherwise look upon their lives as though it had come to a full stop. The parents often think that their child is the “Only” one of his/her kind on earth and the juvenile diabetic too, often tends to give up on life very easily. It is here that the J.D.F. steps in proving to be a major breather giving that much–required relief and reprieve to its members and their families with a mutual exchange of empathy.

The J.D.F. is a voluntary organization and has at the service of its members, diabetologists, a pediatrician, a psychiatrist, a diabetes–educator, a counselor, a dietician who work on a honorary basis while the administrative work is by and large handled by its members who serve voluntarily.

The pain that a juvenile diabetic has to put up with goes beyond daily injection pricks. More than the physical pain, it is the condescending and patronizing attitude of society which proves frustrating for the children and youngsters who are otherwise as hale and hearty as any of their non–diabetic counterparts. Juvenile diabetes is not commonly known of in India and it would not be incorrect to conclude that juvenile diabetics are being given a raw deal whether in terms of education, employment, marriage or any other realm of life, for that matter. However, many have today emerged triumphant against all these odds, with their grit, determination and indomitable spirit, and are living lives in an absolutely normal manner.

The J.D.F. is helping its members lead fruitful lives. While some of the juvenile diabetics have become doctors (one among them being a diabetologist), there are other members who have taken up jobs with corporates despite several rejections, others who have branched into business, classical danseuses and a myriad of other professions and vocations; proving that their abilities are on par with just about anybody else, if not better.

The juvenile diabetics are fighting their battle quite swimmingly with help from the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. However, there is not much aid being received from any other quarter, whatsoever. Insulin is the only lifesaver for diabetics and its price level has been rising astronomically. The amount that one spends on insulin injections and other diabetes–care–paraphernalia tots up to at least twice as much the sum that one ends up spending on basic necessities as food, clothing and shelter.

‘From tears to smiles’, is the motto that Juvenile Diabetes Foundation has tried to imbibe to its members. The efforts still continue as they have over the last couple of decades. How far the foundation achieves its aim is something that time alone will be able to tell…

Registered Office:
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
C/o Dr. S. Y. Kale
B–1, Asawari, 214, Veer Sawarkar Road,
Mahim, Mumbai 400 016.
Tel. No. +91 22 4466697