By: Cherie Burbach
Publisher: Bonjour Publishing 
Publication Date: May 1, 2009 
ISBN: 978-0978974770 
Reviewed by: Miriam Leventhal 
Review Date: June 2009 

Cherie Burbach’s 21 Simple Things You Can Do to Help Someone with Diabetes is a brief guide that offers comprehensive information regarding diabetes. In the preface, the author explains that her goal is to help the reader both understand and support those with diabetes.

Burbach's book gently explains to the novice the basic symptoms of the disease and shares some observations and suggestions for extending common courtesy to those with diabetes. For instance, a common fallacy is that a leading cause of diabetes is being overweight. While this is a mitigating factor in some people, Burbach explains that she was diagnosed with the disease at a relatively young age, when she was very active and thin. She offers some other myth busters as well. Burbach also explains how a simple cold or stress can wreak havoc on one’s condition. She adds that while the discovery of insulin has helped control the disease, there still needs to be extensive research to find a cure.

Burbach uses anecdotal stories based on her own experiences to illustrate her point, and this format makes the book easy and enjoyable to read. Burbach's anecdotes illustrate the unwitting ignorance on the part of those who do not know any better and sometimes say hurtful comments. Burbach offers answers and suggestions to help the uninformed person better comprehend the issues facing diabetics. Obviously well versed in the medical literature regarding diabetes, Burbach explains that sometimes even health care professionals have trouble offering constructive help.

If you know someone with diabetes, or have just been diagnosed yourself, this is a helpful primer that offers reassurance and hope.

Quill says: A simple, easy-to-read book that offers information and support to those interested in the topic of diabetes.

For more information on 21 Simple Things You Can Do to Help Someone with Diabetes, please visit the author's website at: Cherie Burbach.com.