Do you prefer to be called "Diabetic" or "Someone with diabetes" or something else?

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#1

I have always been a bit turned off by people referring to me as “diabetic”. For some reason I prefer being referred to as that guy who “has diabetes” as opposed to he’s “diabetic”. I suppose its no big deal really. I am curious to hear others thoughts on this.

When people acknowledge your diabetes -

Do you (A) Prefer to be called “Diabetic”.
(B) Prefer to be call “a person (insert your name here) who has Diabetes”.
© Prefer no one says anything about your diabetes at all.
(D) Don’t Care one way or another.
(E) Other…explain if you will…

Thanks for your response!

#2

I have diabetes; therefore, I am diabetic. I am not a diabetic.

#3

D). I don’t really care…(just not in a "poor thing " type tone!)

#4

yeah, tone is important! I prefer “person with diabetes” but only apply that rule to myself (as in, I don’t try to tell other PWDs that they shouldn’t call themselves a diabetic)

#5

b

#6

D) It doesn’t really matter to me. I’ve never kept it a secret what I am. I have a disease and that part I can accept. It’s the frustration of trying to get/keep it in contol that bothers me.

#7

I am a girl who is unique, plays viola, has fun and likes rock climbing. I have diabetes, and I have my sidekick team beside me.

I am NOT a diabetic. Diabetes doesn’t make me; my body “made” diabetes.

B

#8

AAAAAAAAAAA

#9

E-I used to hate the word diabetic when I was younger. Now that I am older and wiser, wink wink, I actually prefer to be called a diabetic. It is part of who I am as much as what I do for a living or what I like to spend my time on. Plus I have been diabetic for over 20 years now. I respect what others want to be called, I think this is a personal thing for all of us with the D.

#10

(E) I prefer Dino

#11

E i am DOMO - diabetically orchestrated monster organ.

#12

B
For me, food is diabetic; people have diabetes.

#13

(D) Just don’t feel sorry for me when you say it…

#14

Yup…agree with Dino. Prefer to be called Teena… Having diabetes is just an insy winsy part of me.

#15

Hmm, I’ve never given this any thought, but then I don’t really tell anyone, except those who really need to know. It’s not that I’m ashamed, but I just feel most people don’t really care. However, if I ever start taking Insulin, I would probably tell some of my coworkers (in case I have an insulin reaction), so they would know what to do
I’ll have to get back to you … :slight_smile:

#16

Hi
I have been living with Diabetes since 1966. People with cancer are not defined by there illness,neither should we. A person living with Diabetes.

#17

Hi Joe - Thank you. You are so right…They don’t say oh he’s a canceratic.

#18

D

#19

this is an interesting topic, for sure! I really can’t stand hearing people call my daughter “diabetic”…it sounds so …I don’t know…labeled. She deals with diabetes. I have another perspective…I’ve dealt with breast cancer…I am not “canceretic”…I am a “survivor”…huh?..“diabetes survivor?”…I don’t know.

#20

i prefer erin. or hey,babe, but if i have to i usually use dialectic. my husband and i like to screw with words so we change a lot of them. diabetic became dialectic, probably something that came out of my mouth when i was low.