I have had diabetes since 1994 and have been pumping since 2001. I have had some people down right not like the pump, almost as if they had some problem with it. My guy friends tell me that girls won’t like it, and some girls haven’t liked it. Some coaches in high school thought I could be more active without it (obviously they don’t know about how bad lows can be on injections). I was a drummer in a band and got in the best shape of my life about 5 years ago. I’d play shirtless with the infusion set in my abdomen. I think the other two members were embarrassed by it and tried getting me to do MDI. What do I say to these people? I do not believe I owe them an explanation because for starters they obviously have no understanding of the disease to begin with. I mean, I wouldn’t go up to somebody with a colostomy bag or oxygen tank and tell them to do something else. I need to stand my ground. I haven’t had any issues like this for a while, but every now and then someone will say something rude. I’m getting tired of it! I love my pump and know it’s better for me than MDI. Sometimes what people say gets to me so bad that I actually want to get rid of it. I need to avoid the ignorance of others.
I’ve heard it said, “If you can’t hide it, flaunt it!” This is a basic part of who you are. It’s unfortunate that other people can be so squeamish about things medical that they cannot overlook your infusion site.
I’m of two minds on this one. You cannot overcome the visceral touchiness of others easily so perhaps your life would be easier covering when possible. I know it’s who you are and they need to just get over it but I don’t don’t think this will easily be overcome with your continued path in this regard.
On the other hand, maybe repeated exposure to the site of your infusion set will lead others to becoming less sensitive to it. No matter which path you choose you will need to accept the social consequences of any fallout. And you do need to learn which battles to pick in life. Good luck!
I am reminded of the comedian Ron White, one of his favorite punch lines is “You can’t fix stupid”. I know that he says it for laughs but it is true. I guess the way I look at is some people just do not understand no matter how much we try to educate them. For the these people I take Ron’s words to heart and just ignore them.
I certainly do not allow these folks to run my life but I am willing to make a few accommodations. Life is all about trade offs, sometimes you have to make trade offs to get what you want, it is true in all walks of life not just D. As for the people in the band, maybe it would not hurt to put a shirt on. The music will be just as good. Seems like a small trade off.
What about girls? Would it be worth going to MDI just because a girl who is willing to date me doesn’t like the pump?
Hi again, Cocheze!
I have worn my pump for decades and was pretty young when I got mine. If anyone asked about it I just told them what it was and went about my business. I can’t imagine staying with a band who found your site embarrassing! The bands I know would make sure you had a tub of glucose tabs next to your drum stick kit!! I know you are quite young, and looking good and being normal is very important. A pump is pretty small and can be tucked away. If you make a production of it then people are going to ask about it. No one even sees my pump or my testing or my bolusing or anything. I am discreet with my diabetes and don’t expect folks in my space to know about or deal with it. If what people say gets to you so bad that you want to get rid of your pump, then get rid of it. That won’t eliminate the ignorant questions that might come your way.
I’ve never had anyone take issue with my pump or my diabetes. In my opinion, I really think it is all about your own approach to your pump and diabetes. If you don’t make a big deal about it, they have no reason to think it’s a big deal.
Sarah 
I’ve been around some rather ignorant people, Sarah. lol . Usually the first question asked is “How do you have *** with that ?!” . I’m easy to be rude to, I guess.
well then, you answered your own question. Surround yourself with people that contribute positively to your life. Anyone else is a waste of time.
Sarah
I mean, like if a rapper like Jay Z or Eminem wore one, would that be weird, or “not cool” ?
Nick Jonas wears one…so there ya go
[quote=“Cocheze, post:9, topic:47933, full:true”]
I mean, like if a rapper like Jay Z or Eminem wore one, would that be weird, or “not cool” ?
[/quote]It would only be weird if they didn’t have diabetes! Who would even notice? They wear little electronics on stage already 
Look at it another way. You are potentially just not aware of the opportunity these people are offering you. They are unwittingly volunteering to be your “training aid”. Use them to practice being a person who is less easy to be rude to. It is an opportunity to practice politely but clearly encouraging someone to, as they phrase it in the UK, p1ss off, right?
Seriously? 
That is obviously one of those questions one asks even when you already know the answer. Probably because you would rather that the answer was something other than what it is.
There is a quick, simplistic two sentence explanation for divorce which sticks with me. It goes something like this … People get divorced because one spouse thought the other would change, but, of course, they didn’t. Or one of them thought the other would never change, but, of course, they did.
I take this to be saying that to be with someone you have to be able to accept that person the way they are. If someone isn’t capable of doing that, it’s not likely to work. If people have to seriously twist and distort who they are to be together, well, they shouldn’t. Square pegs in round holes and all that. 
Or maybe get a t-shirt with Miss Idaho 2014 on it? i’m pretty sure if she came up to them they would not say no…
http://perezhilton.com/fitperez/2014-07-21-miss-idaho-wears-her-insulin-pump-on-her-bikini-bottom-during-pageant#.VhtyA6LK5-Q
And there are bunch of pictures of sportsmen wearing pumps here… https://www.pinterest.com/rachelscbd/our-heroes/
Maybe you could get some printed as cards with ‘shut up’ on them and hand them out to the stupids around you. Or direct them to #showmeyourpump …
Seriously - girls have their own ‘ick’ factor issues to deal with which i won’t go into here - we’re tougher than boys think, so it sounds like your stupids don’t really know much about women at all.
It’s more important that you’re clean/ smell nice and are fun to talk to/ be around…
If it really bothers you, they make bands to cover/ hold pumps in place, you could get one of those for first dates… 
No. I just tell them that diabetes is a ton of work, give them a brief explanation “it’s about balance and control and I have way more of both with my pump…”. MrsAcidRock knows MDI AR and pump AR and definitely prefers the latter…
I personally have had more than my share of help getting my head to a better place. In my case it was my viola teacher. Long story, but he approached my performance as one aspect of my personality, and helped me advance as a person. And oh, as a performer too.
Seek out someone who can help guide you to a better place. It may be a traditional person like clergy, or less traditional like a Zen master. Maybe reading philosophers will be helpful to you. Here’s an Existential Comics that might be appropriate.
my husband thinks its sexy because he knows that i am confident and self-loving enough that i care so much about my health. and this year i started wearing a cgm sensor, so now i have 2 things attached to my body. i get some really strange looks around the pool or on the beach, but i wear them proudly.
your health is more important than their discomfort. good luck.
Ah! it makes sense to me now. If the girl falls in love with me, the pump shouldn’t bother her. maybe i just haven’t found the right girl yet.
Have to admit it was a bit easier when on injections, lol. Since being on pump, I have learned to take my time and get to know someone a bit before getting down with it.
I guess this is an advantage of marriage 
Even so, I wear both a pump and a CGM sensor. Sometimes site selection is a really big deal!
I like your confidence to wear it out. I try to be discrete too, but I walk a line – mostly when it can’t be avoided for my stuff to come out, it comes out.
I’d never suggest changing for other people, but one thing I like about my omnipod is it’s really discrete. Stuck to my leg, nobody sees it when I’m swimming, etc. YMMV.