"It’s Our Website": A VodCast Series on the Power of Patient Partnership
- t2diabetesnetwork
- May 26
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 10
Blog Highlights
✅ Patient Partners helped co-design the T2D Network website from the ground up.
✅ Lived experiences shaped site content, design, and accessibility.
✅ Website offers tailored content for South Asian, East Asian, and Indigenous communities.
✅ Features include simple and in-depth content, search tools, and AI support.
✅ Patient involvement turned the platform into a trusted, inclusive resource.
When you visit the Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) Network website, you will notice something unique—something deeply human. Behind every section, video, and culturally relevant resource lies the input of people living with T2D. One of those voices belongs to Joy, a Patient Partner who helped co-design the website from the ground up. Her story, shared in a three-part video series, reveals how vital patient experience is for building digital tools that genuinely meet community needs.
“I Am Diabetic. It’s a Part of My Life.”
Joy’s T2D journey began over six years ago. Like many, her diagnosis was not accompanied by clear guidance. Despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle, her A1C levels remained high. She recalls being told, “It must be your genes.” This left her navigating generic dietary advice—like avoiding pasta and red meat—that didn’t reflect her culture, food preferences, or habits.
“I was looking at these lists and thinking, ‘But I don’t even eat these foods,’” she reminisced, recalling a diabetes education session where she and two other South Asian women exchanged puzzled looks. “We were kind of wondering, okay, where do we go from here?”
This feeling of being unseen and underrepresented sparked Joy’s passion for shaping the T2D Network website into something that is more inclusive, accessible, and empowering.
From Overwhelm to Ownership
When Joy was asked about her thoughts on the new T2D Network website, her enthusiasm was palpable. “There’s so much information that anybody looking for anything can find it there. That’s what you need.” She appreciates the breadth of content—from evidence-based insights on medication and nutrition to culturally relevant guidance for communities like hers.
“There are some people who want to do a deep dive like me,” she expressed, noting the site’s mix of technical and simple content. “Then there are others who just want an overview... and there’s that little icon where you can type in what you want. You even have the AI feature!”
However, the most significant change for Joy was the feeling of belonging. “I don’t feel like I’m some outsider and I’m lost,” she noted. “We can now tailor-make what works for us.”
Co-Design in Action
Joy doesn’t simply refer to the website as “the website.” She proudly calls it “our website.” As a Patient Partner, she significantly contributed to designing the platform—providing feedback, raising concerns, and advocating for the need for culturally specific content. She took great pride in pushing for dedicated sections for South Asian and East Asian communities. “That’s what I kept talking about,” she remarked. “And it’s worked out so well.”
The collaborative process instilled Joy and her fellow partners with a sense of purpose. “I’m really proud of us,” she reflected. “We were so passionate… we really wanted others to not have the issues that we had.” For her, patient partnership is not just about being heard; it’s about ensuring every person's experience is acknowledged.
Why Patient Partnership Matters
Including individuals living with T2D in the website design was not merely symbolic—it was strategic. By prioritizing lived experience, the T2D Network ensured that the content was not only evidence-based but also deeply relevant. Patient Partners helped identify information gaps and suggest user-friendly features while reviewing content for clarity and cultural resonance.
Their contributions have transformed the T2D Network website into a trusted, comprehensive resource for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers across British Columbia. This is just the beginning. As Joy stated, “Now every person who goes to that website… they can have a meaningful conversation with their doctor.”
Listen and Learn
Patient Partner Vodcast—a powerful three-part conversation about living with type 2 diabetes, navigating cultural gaps in care, and helping build a resource that works for everyone.
The T2D Network is more than just a collection of facts. It’s a growing community shaped by and for the people it serves. Now, it is your turn to engage.
Explore the T2D Network
T2D Network website to discover practical, culturally relevant resources for patients and healthcare providers. Whether you're newly diagnosed, supporting a loved one, or working in the healthcare system, there’s something here for you.
✅ Browse trusted resources for healthcare professionals and patients with T2D
✅ Discover culturally tailored information, Indigenous, South Asian, and East Asian
✅ Take a look at the projects we're working on
✅ Join the conversation by becoming part of the Network
Let’s continue building a stronger, more connected diabetes community—together.
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