Pictures tell the story of diabetes

How do you tell the true story about the seriousness of diabetes without victimizing the diabetic? For the World Diabetes Foundation the answer has been to let freelance photographer Jesper Westley visualise the human stories in his art.

With great respect, Jesper Westley has portrayed numerous people with diabetes around the world. Showing us proud people, who laugh and enjoy the company of the family and everyday life in whatever part of the world the live in. But the pictures also, in a suddle way, describe the pain caused by poor diabetes control and a lack of access to sufficient treatment.

Some of the people portrayed suffer from severe complications which have resulted in blindness or limb amputation and are additionally left stigmatised and poor, situations directly caused by diabetes.

The ADA (American Diabetes Association) Conference, held this year in San Diego, is one of the most important networking opportunities for companies and organisations. IDF was present with the WDF photo exhibition.

Photos exhibited to focus on diabetic foot problems

This year IDF (International Diabetes Federation) has chosen to focus on diabetic foot problems, which also will be the theme for the annual World Diabetes Day, held each year at November 14th. Pictures on foot problems taken by Jesper Westley for the World Diabetes Foundation will accompany the regional and global IDF Press Conferences sharing the title "Put feet first, prevent amputations".

Other scheduled World Diabetes Day press events where the Photo Exhibition have been or will be shown

• Yaoundé, Cameroon, April 2005
• Moscow, Russia, June 2005
• San Diego, ADA. June 2005
• European Parliament, tentative, fall 2005
• Bangkok, October 2005
• Salvador, Brazil, Global WDD Nov 14th 2005
• Mediterranean region, early 2006