I have had type 1 diabetes for 27 years, and I am glad to say that I am happy and healthy. The trouble I have is that so many people feel the need to give me advice once they know I have “diabetes.” Of course, the diabetes they are thinking about is type 2. I have people tell me all the time that I should drink this mixture or take these supplements or exercise this long each day and I will be cured! I even had someone tell me that I should only eat half a banana because I have diabetes. For heaven’s sake! I was just wondering how you all deal with the misinformation that is out there about diabetes.
There will always be people who feel the need to give you advice, no matter what. I’ve been a type 1 for over 14 years and when I was pregnant with any of my 3 kids, people would always ask me, didn’t you see Steel Magnolias? Aren’t you scared of dying? I’d tell them we’re all terminal, and I can’t stand that movie.
I’d smile and nod and say, thanks for thinking of me! And walk off. Not even worth it to get into a conversation most days. Unless it is a good friend, then set them straight.
I know. It is frustrating! People seem to think that they have the right to comment on whatever you are doing or whatever you have! My mother tells me to take insulin when I am low and sugar when I am high! She never says hello or you look nice, but points out that I have a spot on my face and proceeds to tell me that I should wash my face more etc. Actually one is a cancerous lump which I am getting cut out tomorrow!!
With my mother I might argue, but with others, I would say that there is no cure and that I have had it 27 years and have done well on it so far and usually know what to do!
I know about the stigma too! I am a member of a church and was once called in to see the Pastor and my Councelling Tutor (who is an ex nurse!) and was told that I could not continue the course because I had a drinking problem. I have heard this time and time again. I showed them my blood glucose monitor for the time that showed that I was high (I had a chest infection). I told them that if they paid for a private blood test to prove that I have not had an alcoholic drink in 6 years then I would happily undergo it - and they backed down!
Another time I was starting a course in a local prison to help the prisoners in restitution. I recognised that there were some who needed some help and thoroughly enjoyed the first session. I fully expected to go back there for the next course and was told that I could not go back because I was diabetic!! That is sooooo prejudiced!
well sometimes i would get my dry erase marker out and draw curves of insulin peak activity and then demo pump and explain things like basals and bolus and just maintaining balance between food exercise and insulin. That is if they asked - fortunately I did not have too many try and preeach -0 most of them i would try and ignore - if they have their miond made up it can be difficult to open it to the facts.
I try to minimize it. This has been much easier since I started exercising a lot and then since I got a pump. Now I would warily say that I am probably in better shape than many of my peers in the office and am also inclined to find solutions to things like running outside in Chicago during the winter (meters don’t work when they are frozen and I’ve had a few of my colder runs where the screen on my pump eerily faded from the chill so I’d switch it around and tuck it inside of my pants to thaw it out?
