Recent research has raised questions about the validity and relevance of health practitioners' perspectives of diabetes and diabetes care. This article describes a qualitative research study that was undertaken to illuminate an insider's perspective of how Type I diabetes is meaningfully experienced. The results of this study reveal that although people with diabetes share a common disease, the meaning of that disease in people's lives is unique and varied. To provide holistic care, nurses must assist people in discovering and articulating the meaning of diabetes in their lives as well as acknowledging and attending to the significant elements within their experiences.
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