".......his diabetes got the better of him...." Are you SERIOUS?!?!

Just another situation where how others view PWD defies logic. My great uncle was dx T1 more than 60 years ago. He went to med school and became an accomplished heart surgeon. He operated on Gov. Connally (TX) and even helped start a heart hospital in the Austin area.

We seldom saw each other, but the last time I saw him I said “hey, I hear you are also a pumper” He thought I was referring to pumping iron and raised both hands in the air making pumping motions and said “sure, I hit the gym five days a week and pump iron!” At the time he was past 80!

On a visit to his hometown his recent passing was often mentioned by those we ran into and visited with. A common theme was “his diabetes finally got him” or “he had to give up his work at the heart hospital because his dibetes got the better of him.”

NO, he RETIRED as a physician. He was in excellent health and had no major complications from the diabetes (as far as I knew).

He was 85 or 86 when he passed away!!! I didn’t have much opportunity to respond to the comments beyond a few “actually, I think he got the best of the diabetes”.

I usually get angry when I hear someone place blame on a deceased PWD with the “he never took care of himself”, but it seems when a PWD does it well, they don’t get credit for that either.

I just needed to get this off my chest and knew you guys would understand.

The stigma of diabetes 60 years ago



Is forgotten by the young



But the old-timers carry its burden



Even after they proved it wrong



By leading a long and wonderful life

I learned a long time ago that when someone passes away, people will say the most indiscreet things because they do not know how to handle the awkwardness of the moment. A lot of those things they say will be out of total ignorance. Sometimes it would be best if someone remained silent and just gave an acknowledging hug or pat of the shoulder.



If I sense that a person’s intent is well-meaning and sincere, I give them a pass. There is so much ignorance about diabetes in the public that it’s just now worth confronting people at every turn.

Yes, I understand and honour your great uncle for his brilliant career as a surgeon,as well as managing his diabetes to allow him to work at such a high level.