Penny Marshall, best known for her acting role in the TV series “Laverne & Shirley” and for her many achievements as a film director such as “A League of Our Own,” “Big” or “Awakenings,” has died from complications from diabetes. She was 75.

Unfortunately I haven’t been able to learn what her complications were, or even what type of diabetes she had even after reading numerous stories about her death in various media outlets.  Usually I hate headlines like this without details because I think it’s a missed opportunity to educate and empower people about the disease but I feel Penny Marshall’s many professional accomplishments can offer sound advice for anyone who is feeling helpless, overwhelmed or frustrated about living with diabetes. 

Behind the camera, Penny Marshall wasn’t afraid to ask for help. As the the first woman in history to direct a film that grossed more than US$ 100 million with the 1988 comedy “Big,” starring Tom Hanks, Penny Marshall told Reuters in 2012 that her key to success behind the camera was she would try anything and ask for help when needed.

“I talked to my crew and said, ‘Just tell me the truth.’ I turned to the crews and asked them for their help,” she said..

People with diabetes often feel like there is too much to think about and do every day in order to take care of the condition. Sometimes you may find that you just need an outlet to express yourself and vent.  Reaching out to your diabetes care team and your other supporters about how you feel lets them help you get relief, gain support and even possibly learn strategies to cope with your feelings and the disease.

There will always be ups and downs in managing diabetes, but leaning on your diabetes care team and support network can help. Here are four basic tips for dealing with diabetes distress from Alicia McAuliffe-Fogarty, PhD, CPsychol: 

Give yourself a break. No one manages diabetes perfectly.

Talk to your diabetes care team about how you feel. Your health care providers can help by teaching you about diabetes, creating a diabetes treatment plan with you to best fit your lifestyle, working with you to set treatment goals, and referring you to a support group or mental health therapist.

Do one thing at a time and set goals you can reach. Small changes add up to big results. Try setting SMART goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. Reward and congratulate yourself when you reach your goals.

Get support. You don’t have to do this alone. Most people say they manage their diabetes better when they get support.

After reading Penny Marshall’s obituary, I hope the general public sees that diabetes is a serious disease and not just a “touch of sugar.” Most people say they manage their diabetes better when they get support. Reach out. You don’t have to do this alone.

Enjoy December’s Diabetes Late Nite Available on Demand for Free

Enjoy December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring holiday music from Kelly Clarkson’s iconic Wrapped In Red album courtesy of SONY Music. Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Kathy Gold  RN, MSN, CDE, FAADE, Glucose Delivery Necklace Co-Creator Kris Maynard, Dr. Sara (Mandy) Reece, PharmD, CDE, BC=ADM, BCACP, FAADE, Maria Sakowitz, MS, RDN, LDN, CLT, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach. LISTEN NOW