Why this matters right now

Severe lows escalate quickly. The ADCES emphasizes the importance of support partners in managing hypoglycemia.

What’s happening

During a hypoglycemic crash, cognitive function drops. Patients may become confused, unable to treat themselves, or unable to communicate clearly. During a 2025 filming session, Sally’s glucose dropped rapidly. She later shared:

“My friend keeps turning off the camera so I can treat it.”
— Sally Figueroa

This moment showed how essential it is to have someone who recognizes the signs and responds quickly.

What you can do

• Tell one trusted person what your signs of lows look like.
• Keep fast-acting sugar in every room you frequent.
• Teach partners or friends how to use emergency glucagon.
• Use CGM sharing if available.

What to avoid

• Assuming others “just know” what to do.
• Treating help as a sign of weakness.

How to move forward

Support partners save lives—and reduce ER-level medical events.

Our Pay It Forward Approach

Every small act of sharing creates a ripple. If this piece resonated with you, consider sending it to someone who might need the same hope today—or leave us a comment in the section below with your own saving story so thousands can benefit from it. No one should have to navigate the cost of illness alone.

Verification Note

All links checked & verified December, 2025.
All sources are government, nonprofit, peer-reviewed, or professional medical organizations directly supporting claims about hypoglycemia risk, cognitive impairment, and the life-saving role of support partners.

Role of support partners in hypoglycemia prevention and response

Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) — Support Partners in Diabetes Management (DSME Toolkit)
Primary professional guidance explaining why support partners are essential during hypoglycemia, including impaired awareness and emergency response.
https://www.diabeteseducator.org/docs/default-source/living-with-diabetes/teaching-resources/dsme-toolkit/support-partners.pdf

ADCES — Hypoglycemia: Prevention and Treatment
Clinical overview detailing how confusion, loss of consciousness, and inability to self-treat make outside assistance critical.
https://www.diabeteseducator.org/living-with-diabetes/aade7-self-care-behaviors/problem-solving/hypoglycemia

Cognitive impairment during severe lows

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) — Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose)
Explains how hypoglycemia affects thinking, judgment, speech, and the ability to self-manage treatment.
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/hypoglycemia-low-blood-glucose

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)
Confirms that severe hypoglycemia can cause confusion, seizures, and unconsciousness requiring immediate help from others.
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/low-blood-sugar.html

Endocrine Society — Severe Hypoglycemia Clinical Practice Guideline
Clinical guidance emphasizing that patients often cannot recognize or treat severe lows without assistance.
https://www.endocrine.org/clinical-practice-guidelines/hypoglycemia

Importance of education and preparedness for friends, family, and partners

American Diabetes Association (ADA) — Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose)
Recommends educating family members, friends, coworkers, and partners to recognize symptoms and act quickly.
https://diabetes.org/diabetes/medication-management/blood-glucose-testing-and-control/hypoglycemia

ADA — Glucagon Emergency Use and Caregiver Training
Details why support partners should know how to administer glucagon during severe lows.
https://diabetes.org/diabetes/medication-management/blood-glucose-testing-and-control/glucagon

CGM sharing and remote alerts as a support-partner tool

Dexcom — Follow App (Caregiver and Support Partner Alerts)
Manufacturer documentation describing real-time glucose sharing and alerts for trusted contacts.
https://www.dexcom.com/en-us/support/dexcom-follow-app

Abbott FreeStyle Libre — LibreLinkUp App for Caregivers
Explains shared monitoring and alerting for friends, parents, and partners.
https://www.freestyle.abbott/us-en/products/librelinkup.html

Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology — Remote Monitoring and Hypoglycemia Response
Peer-reviewed evidence that shared CGM data enables faster third-party intervention during severe lows.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/19322968211047787