Hi everyone! I’m sorry to bring up negativity because it’s the weekend and we should all be happy, but these news reports today about how many people will have diabetes in 2050 are making me more angry than concerned (and that’s concerning!)
One news report actually said – in the properly alarmed tone – “what does this mean to our health care system” meaning, of course, the costs!!! I wanted to yell “It means they’ll have some work” but I think that’s probably horribly glib and I know it’s defensive on my part. A local news anchor made a comment to the effect that “even thin people can be diagnosed”. I almost fell over!
I am a T1 so I don’t have to suffer so much of the “blame” that I feel T2’s get, but I believe that the general public is getting a bad message and I’m perturbed. Diabetes can affect anyone!! (Yes I know that obesity is a risk factor and that reducing obesity is always good news.).
I’m starting to feel that we diabetics may have targets on our backs. I hope this is just a gloomy mood. Has this report affected anyone else this way?
I honestly don’t think that this latest news report is going to have any effect on people who are obese, diabetic or not. To me it’s more of a dig at big people, which are not popular in our society, which is thin-obsessed. And I don’t mean healthy-thin. Any excuse to draw attention to obesity and the cost it has on healthcare is jumped on by the media. Diabetes is just par for the course.
As well, there’s barely anything in there about people being diagnosed with T1 outside of childhood and young adulthood – this because the vast majority of people who get diabetes (or so say statistics) are T2. Well if you’re T1 and diagnosed as an adult, as I am, or LADA, you’re lost in the shuffle of this news story.
In my opinion even if it takes bad press to make people pay attention to diabetes, it’s better than no press. This disease has been around since Egyptian times, and it’s taking a very LONG time to be considered seriously. If the media eventually gets it right and manages to inadvertently send funding for more research our way, T1, LADA, T2 and everything inbetween, that’s a good thing.
Good points! Thank you for helping me to see a more positive possibility. (I’ve had diabetes for over thirty years and have felt lost in the shuffle like you say). You are right about this being another dig at large people, and that’s sad. I see insurance companies preparing us for excused higher premiums for not meeting their weight requirements (in fact, I see that advertised).
I don’t believe that there are “more” diabetics as time goes on. I think because there is more testing done that more people find out. When people died in the 30’s 40’s 50’s and 60’s of say a heart attack or stroke, do you think they ever knew they had T2? Or do you think the autopsy ever discovered T2? Just a thought.
And even if more people are diagnosed than that means you have more (diabetics) people on your side hoping for a cure and a solution. Either way, I wouldn’t worry.
Well… if someone said “even thin people can be diagnosed,” I have to say… that actually makes me smile. You never hear THAT on the news! That is wonderful, if you ask me…
These days, the things that depress me the most are:
- People touting that Diabetes has a cure if we just eat this diet or that diet, or exercise, or that we need to take this supplement or that, or if we just did the right Asian meditation technique, that our mind will heal our body… (royally pisses me off);
- People touting that dangerous surgeries, which do incredible damage to the body (like gastric bypass), which cause immense other problems, are a viable “cure” for Diabetes;
- People who don’t understand that the roads to Diabetes are MANY, and that weight is just one potential factor, and not THE potential factor;
- With this one, I don’t want to ruffle any feathers… but… the biggest sense of anger, shame, and depression I feel comes from anti-Type 2 sentiment, not from society, but from some Type 1’s. There is a lot of anti-fat, anti-Type 2 sentiment intertwined there… and feelings of “you could have prevented this, and you could cure yourself, but you don’t want to,” kind of nonsense going around… and it’s very, very strong… and it’s very, very disheartening and depressing. It’s tough when you come to online forums for support, and many times you end up feeling even worse… sometimes to the point of self loathing. I have never felt so much hatred before from a group of people… not even as a minority.
I get more sad, and upset these days about these… than anything I might see on tv.
Its great we will be the silent majority.
I’m very sorry when people make that assumption that a T2 “did something” to cause their condition, rather than understanding that this is a disease, a breakdown of a system in this person. That’s why the “thin” remark from the anchor bothered me! Don’t focus on the size of the person, focus on the fact that this disease is around! I do feel bad that T2s get this extra burden. And it’s probably true that if you are overweight and get diagnosed, you get no sympathy. That’s sinful.
Please let me send you a big smile and a hug 
You are a gem in this world and too bad for those who can’t see that!
Thank you, Robin M, that means a lot.
Yes, it is Robin, SINFUL… I do hear blaming comments from others about Type 2’s who are overweight. I guess it is on the DOC as well. The general public knows so little about diabetes, it WOULD BE VERY BENEFICIAL if a news anchor says “Even thin people can get diabetes” (as reported by Diabetic Welfare queen). My experience , unfortunately, has been positive comments to me about NOT being a “fat diabetic who didn’t let herself go like the other diabetics I know”. I find this offensive and ignorant, but it is the viewpoint pushed by the media: I agree with caprifioglio, who wrote"To me it’s more of a dig at big people, which are not popular in our society, which is thin-obsessed. And I don’t mean healthy-thin. Any excuse to draw attention to obesity and the cost it has on healthcare is jumped on by the media. Diabetes is just par for the course." I agree. we have to put a stop to this, somehow. It is not a good thing.
God bless,
Brunetta
Type One 42 years
I was diagnosed (T1) in the early 80’s in a small town as a kid.
The stigma that you try to read into these news forecasts, is nothing at all compared the stigma that was the reality back then.
The news cycle today unfortunately requires sensationalizing every possible tidbit. I’m a little afraid of the sensationalism causing a new kind of stigma but things today, are so much better than they were 30 years ago, which was probably better than it was 40 years ago, etc. I actually have a large amount of confidence that attitudes improve over time, and I don’t really think I’m being overoptimistic. The news coverage is doing some pretty basic public education in the process and that’s not so bad.
I am one of those that would be elated at that thin comment because I am a Thin Type 2. Not only do people put the blame on Type 2 that are fat but they will say repeatedly to us Thin 2’s that we must be misdiagnosed because we are thin.
This also is another way to say fat = diabetes (or at least Type 2). Either way it is troublesome to the the fat or thin Type 2’s out there. Again, more stereotyping. If you are fat, you are Type 2. If you are thin, you can’t be a Type 2 and you are misdiagnosed. No way Jose!
I guess I think it is good in a way to have this sort of thin comment come out because it honestly will hopefully get people away from that fat person stereotype and have people realize that this is NOT a fat based diseased and lead to a true understanding of what we know what it really is. You did nothing wrong if you fat or if you are thing and you have diabetes. If people realize you can be thin and have this too, than I think their won’t be as much blame or shame put on any overweight Type 2’s. They will realize “Well, if thin people can get this too, than it isn’t fat that is the cause, so it can’t be your fault.” At least I will hope that is what happens.
I think this will make things easier all around for both fat and thin diabetics. I guess it depends on how you look at it too.
The only good that I can see coming out of more people being diabetic in the years to come is that hopefully it will lead to more serious research and better solutions. Notice how when something becomes an epidemic - how quickly they move to find a treatement or whatever. I would hope it would lead to BETTER care - which for us who are already diabetics is a good thing. Knowledge kills ignorance. And we need people to be less ignorant about who we are, how we got this way and what we go through.
Is there a link to the news report that we can read or watch? i don’t see anything.
We can be hopeful that the number :projection" will propmpt some true dicsussions can happen so that people know
*not all big (even those who are obese) people get T2 diabetes
*not all big people that have diabetes have T2–there are big people (I speak from personal experience her) that are T1
*skinny people can have T2–I have a firend who is a slef described “health freak” excercises, eats right yadda yadd…and who is totally perplexed that she is a T2–found during a routine physical–A1c 7…
*there are probably more types of diabetes tha we now know—more research usually finds different variant
And that more $$ will be spent funding research
I happen to think that undiagnosed diabetes is the cause of many deaths that are reported as other things…even people with access to “good” medical care sometimes have dr’s that do not think routinne annual A1c screening is useful
Case in point my friend… (her previous year was fine at 4.7)
From a Type 1 here foe MANY years. I think that they have “found” diabetes now and are making a big deal out of it/ I’ve had it for 37 years. Back before bg meaters and all the “new” stuff they have now. To me diabetes has always been around but they called it “sugar” back then When I 1st took it I was told (by my own father) that I was 2nd class and would NEVER be nothing. When I was diagnosed told I would not live passed 30 and to NEVER have childern. OK fast foward to the present day got 2 girls and 3 g-kids/ Yes my oldest is a diabetic but she’s doing good with iShe’s the one with the 3 kids. I’m now 47 with onlt the slightest of complications (or atleast I think so) Gastrroparisis yes lazer surgery to my eyes yes but right now I have all my lombs and am doing farily well… Had it since 10 and like I said am now 47. Just my opinion
I do not let diabetes decide how I feel. Too me it is just A label just like so many other labels I just let it slide off my back. I define me not the numbers in my meter.
under educated stereotyping from the media… theres a surprise lol they wont change, cos bad news sells. all we can do is educate the difference when asked.
One of the things that made me straighten up and fly right was the thought of my later years. I realized that if I didn’t take care of myself and do what was necessary to avoid complications, I’d be VERY expensive to my fellow citizens when I needed help the most. So, taking personal responsibility for my health and the health of my country, I stopped messing around. T2 is the fastest growing type of diabetes and therefore, more attention is paid to T2. That also means that the stereotypes carry the day. I haven’t seen a single PSA regarding diabetes and informing anyone of anything true. All I see are OneTouch commercials hawking test strips. T2s get a bad rap. I have had people tell me “you don’t look like a diabetic” when I tell them I’m a T1.
The health departments across the nation should start some sort of public education campaign. Give the condition some press and get people thinking about it.
Under the new health insurance reform, screenings and preventative care are now covered in basic plans. That will help. Everyone else thinks we can’t eat sugar. That’s simple enough, isn’t it? Americans like simple solutions. This condition is anything but simple.
Type 2 diabetes is" the canary in the mine" on so many levels. Often diabetes is the first sign of many other diseases to come . Also the growing numbers need to serve warning that we needto change our lifestyles. We need to review how how we eat and exercise as a whole.
Well said Pete!
“I know a skinny person that has T2 diabetes.” is antadotal. Overweight ,lack of exercise is a risk factor that can be avoided.