I am sorry this happen to you, I hope it gets under control @ your work.
Your situations brings an important question to the table. A very controversial issue of where do we draw the line. You will probably find lots of strong sided opinions about this topic.
For me, is not a black or white issue, instead it has many shades of grey. Maybe your boss will be ok understanding a little better the reason of your reaction, or one of the reasons Maybe it is a reminder for all of us how serious hypoglycemic episodes can be.
On a very small scale, (is my husband who has diabetes) it has helped me a lot to learn that mood swings are expected with highs and lows, I think it would be helpful for anybody that is around a person with diabetes to know this, and what to expectā¦ however I do believe at the end we are accountable for our actions, even if in some cases we are not responsible or guilty.
This is probably one of the most difficult emotional challenges of diabetes. The pressure and the stress of the consequences of being out of control. It is an issue that not only affects PWD but the people around them too.
i hope it doesnt happen to you again
about your question
i think that varies from someone to the other,i actually get angry with anything when having a low,sometimes
it happens and i slip some words i shouldnt said but thatās it
you should ask yourself why you have said those words
if you think you said it because you were angry for some reason you donāt know,then it wasnāt your problem
if you said them and you think you would say them any way either if you were angry or you arenāt
hereās the thing we have the ability to control part of our disease but the rest is up to our bodies, and any results of over dosing is something we canāt always foresee.
I think it is everyoneās responsibility here to notify their bosses, co-workers and anyone that they around for long amounts of time. At my last job everyone knew I was diabetic, it is not something I hide. I donāt shout it to the world but I have to look out for me. As you stated we have a hard time controlling ourselves and what we say when we are hypoā¦therefore donāt you think you need some one to help you and look out for you.
I placed a bell at my desk and if I felt I wasnāt able to help my self I rang the bell. This only came out after I was having such a low one day that I couldnāt speak, couldnāt help myself and was starting to convulse. One of my co-workers came by my desk and started talking to me, after a few seconds she knew what was going on and ran to get me some pop. It took a long time to come out.
I agree with Mark that the best thing is to explain yourself to your boss. When you get back to work you should have a mini meeting with all your co-workers and let them know what its like to be diabetic, what to look out for and how to help you.
āResponsibilityā is NOT synonymous with ācontrol,ā folks. We are ABSOLUTELY responsible for our words and actions, even if we are not in control. Mark is correct, we are held accountable when we get into car accidents in which low bloodsugar is a factor just as much as if we are intoxicated. Call it unfair if you want, but itās true. If epileptics, narcoleptics, the partially blind, people with handicaps, people on Ambien, and anybody living with ANY other condition that could impair their driving, including diabetics are to drive, we have to prove that we are enough in control of our disease that itās not a definite weāll kill someone else doing it.
āDrunks,ā as you folks have so lovingly called them, also have a disease. Many of them do not control it, many of them do. Iām married to one of the fortunates who is controlling it by being in AA. When he was drinking, he got 2 DUIās. He was out of control, but he took responsibility.
We must do the same. Itās a sad state of affairs when we feel we can pass off our behavior as a byproduct of a disease we never asked for. Grow up. Lots of people have conditions they never asked for. A lot of them have faced serious obstacles. There is absolutely no reason for us to expect the rest of the world to give us a free pass every time something goes wrong. Own up to it, then move on.
We spend a lot of time and energy on this site talking about tracking our numbers, adjusting our carbs and insulin, adjusting for stress, illness, hormones, etc. If you know your bloodsugar dips every morning and youāre going to fall asleep in class, EAT EXTRA. If you know youāve been stressed and your readings have gone haywire, CALL YOUR DOCTOR. Do some yoga! Hell, smoke up if you have to!
Iāve been diabetic for 27 years as of August 12. Iām 28. Iāve never known a life without diabetes. I have never, NEVER spouted off in a curse-laden tirade to someone and blamed it on my bloodsugar. I made a nasty remark to my husband once, and when I took a breath and realized I was low, cried and apologized profusely.
Frankly, it sounds like your boss is a dick and youāre under a lot of stress as it is. Give yourself some time to recoup, and practice some stress control techniques. Then, create a back-up kit for your CGM. You cannot rely on technology alone. Listen to your body first and foremost.
We need to move past our traumas and work together to break the stigmas surrounding diabetes. Most of us work with the same people for 8 hours a day, 5 day a week. Someone needs to know we have diabetes. Otherwise, weāre screwed, and stories like this will only serve to feed the mystery surrounding our condition. I grew up hearing doctors tell my mom Iād be dead by now. We need to start getting over ourselves if we expect others to understand us.
We are absolutely responsible for our words and actions when low. We are responsible for trying to maintain control of our bloodsugars. Such is our lot in life, we must deal with it.
I think there are a lot of things going on here, most have little to do with diabetes. As a former personnel director I do have a different view of this from many so I will give you my best opinion. In my estimation you should call the office administrator for a private meeting with the boss dude, get on his calendar and donāt be pushy about it. In other words the longer it takes up until you return the better.
Now, when you arrive do not talk about ADA accommodations. When you do that lawyers show up and that is never good at this level. When you arrive be polite and apologize and explain how lows effect you and that you are sorry. Then work to explain what lows are and what happens. Lows produce this sort of behavior but you are responsible for the low. No offense but lows happen and you have to take full responsibility for them, even when you do not recognize them.
In terms of ADA, unless you have previously asked for an accommodation, it is most unlikely you woudl win an ADA case. Lets understand employers do have the responsibility to make accommodations, but only if they know about and are asked for the accommodation. In short your potential claim is most likely to fail.
Now as a point of reference, I do have a suggestion for all diabetics who use insulin. Get some juice boxes and store them in your work area. Alert others that they are there and advise them you do not always recognize lows. When you feel low, or very angry get the juice. Even if you are not low getting the juice will give you a second to think things through.
I have had this happen to me and frankly it is very hard to recover. I had told everyone around me that I am diabetic and what to look for. Several people helped me out frequently so everyone knew about it. However, it was never the same afterward. I worked there for several more years, but always under a cloud. I hate to say it and I am sorry that I am. But start looking.
Well, I donāt entirely agree but I did apologize profusely and spent some time trying to educate my boss about ālowsā. As I said before, I have NEVER used D and lows as an excuse, over 55 years with D, I have taken my punishment and the consequences. I have taken speeding tickets and been to court over a āroad rage incidentā. I never said anything about diabetes being to blame, in fact never mentioned it at all. (No one was hurt in the incident, just my pride). I have always been taught to hide it and deal with it. But now that everyone is so open about talking about their āconditionsā I felt this time it was time to say something. While we all try and control our BG the best we can, especially the longer you have had D, lows are becoming something that I donāt always feel. I would love to not have ālowsā and run around with my BG at 300 the whole time - but we know what the consequences of that is.
I now have a letter on file that states if it ever happens again it is grounds for termination. I had to sign it. So yes in this bad economy I do still have a job, but yes, like you said, things are not the same. No matter how much I tried to explain to my boss that sometimes lows cannot be helped, it fell on ādeaf earsā. So I think the incident is very unfortunate but there is not much I can do about it.
Thanks for the comments
Sheila
There are also differences between civil and criminal liability. While perhaps I could get off a murder charge by arguing that I was low and not responsible for my actions, I could still be held civilly liable (remember OJ?) for huge monetary damages for wrongful death or for negligence if the person I injured or killed can show that I should not have acted as I did.
I have had times that my boss came into my office and i was in the middle of a low. I was grumpy and not very friendly when this happens. I really donāt feel that is in your control. It is normal for me to get very angry and upset because im low. Each person has a different reaction to lows. I donāt believe that was a fair decision for your susupension. I would get a not from doctor and other artical or information on low blood sugars to share with your work place.
small snack with protein prior to bed 1/2 english muffin with peanut butter, 1 low carb protein shake with 1/2 banana mixed in, 1/2 cup cottage cheese with fruit. Please let me know if you need any more.
Hi, Iām in Canada. The way it is hereā¦is as most see it in this groupā¦you are INDEED accountable for your actions. I test before I driveā¦if I were to be low while driving, I would HAVE TO ā¦1. Pull over. 2.Get out of the driverās seat and get into the front passenger seat. 3.Test 4.If below 6.0 (108), eat something 5. Wait 15 min. and test againā¦must be over 6.0, but I aim a bit higher, because it could come down again while Iām driving.
If I ever were to be pulled over and found to have a low BG, I could have my driverās licence revoked.
If youāre going to get behind the wheel, and hit the road, you have to be accountable. This said, I HAVE been low while driving, even though testing before taking off! But I have pulled over.
Yes, itās not our fault that we have diabetesā¦but nor is it anyone elseās either.
APPLAUSE well said! iām tired of fellow diabetics blaming diabetes for their own lack of control.
yes, you are responsible. psychological issues aside, you ARE in control. you are in control of testing frequently and keeping yourself from getting that low. trust me, iāve had some major lows (hypoglycemia unawareness), but you test, you treat, you move on. sometimes iāll feel funny at work and think iām low, test, and see that iām at 135. okay cool, thatās a good thing to know. still, even if i drop to 35 and cuss my boss out, that is MY responsibility and mine alone.
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Iām glad I happened upon your post. I am dating someone who is in flight school at Spartan Academy, and he has gotten me interested in learning to fly. We have been through some medical messes lately because he had some kidney stones. With all of the protocol he had to go through to get approved to fly while on medication, I was wondering if a diabetic would be allowed to be a pilot. So, Iām assuming that I could get my private license, then? Would like to hear from you on what you have to do to get approved, etc. Thanks!
All employers have a responsibility to be informed about the ADA. However, as most people on here have seen, many do are not. If I was in your situation, I would have gone to my doctor and gotten a letter stating what measures I was taking to manage my diabetes, and perhaps something about your character in general(in relation to managing your diabetes). It seems like your control is great. By bringing a letter, you are providing legitimate proof of the actions you are taking to best care for yourself, without having to file any sort of formal complaint. My doctor provides his phone and email and states that he is available for any questions regarding my diabetes, or my diabetes care. Use what resources you have, and donāt let yourself be walked on. I let that happen once, and Iām not going to let it happen again. Educate yourself about what rights you have, and donāt be afraid or ashamed of raising awareness about it. You can be tactful about how you do these things, and possibly improve your situation at work. You donāt have to slap them in the face with defensiveness, but you can do small things, like the letter from your endo, that will allow you to stand up for yourself and put you on better footing.
What a great idea! Iāve never been so low that I couldnāt call out for help, but I know lots of people experience that. I agree with you- I think the more people know- the more they are able to understand. I donāt āshout it from the rooftopsā either, but I believe the best strategy is for the people you are around on a regular basis to be aware of your situation. I know it can be frustrating to have to clear up some of the same old misconceptions over and over again- but I leave the situation feeling that Iāve helped educate someone- and can feel some measure of accomplishment knowing that they can now go out in the world and spread more accurate information and awareness.
Maybe it is a reminder for all of us how serious hypoglycemic episodes can be.