Here in the UK there are a few things we are not allowed to do if we inject insulin, such as drive trucks and join the army or police, just wondered how this differs around the world.
Also, has it stopped you from doing anything you really wanted to do, not because you wern’t confident you could, just the law of the land would not allow you!
Here in the UK, insulin injecters loose their driving license every 3 years, and we have to re-apply, not a big deal, the driving agency check with your doctors to see if your OK, then give you another 3 years, don’t have to do the driving test again, thankfully!
The only time it has effected me, was when I worked at Aston Martin, and I applied for road/track license from the company to allow me to drive their cars on the road and track, as I was designing the seats at the time, and it’s nice to have a feel from them dynamically, to see if they are comfy or not, but I was denied the license because I injected insulin, I was not a direct emploee of the company so I could not really do anything about it.
Anyway, any laws that stop you from doing anything?
You can’t be a pilot or get a CDL (Commercial Driving Licence) in the US if you inject insulin. It doesn’t matter what your diagnosis is.
The drivers license issue may differ from state to state. I don’t have anything on my license that says I have diabetes or use insulin, though it does mention my glasses. So if I were to drive without them, I’d be in a passel of trouble, even though I actually see pretty well with one eye (and my eyes don’t work together.)
Im in Michigan and I had my CDL previous to my Dx and just renewed. I really don’t see how they would know, at the physical? Don’t disclose it, I know not the proper thing to do. I have had my CDL for 10 years now, I use it in my job. I work for a municipality and they are very well aware of my Dx and like I said, just sent me to renew last month. I never even thought that being T1 could be a reason someone couldn’t drive. That ridiculous! I feel so wronged now.
Hefin- Im so sorry that your dreams are being shout down by something you need to live. Just sad.
Not having learned how to drive in the first place means I don’t feel unfairly discriminated against. I’ve always lived either in a major city or in a town big enough to have all the usual facilities and where having a set of wheels has never been a must.
It’d be nice if the government were to decide to reduce the tax liability of non car users as a thank you for being kind to the environment ;-))
The restrictions are wacky, but well meaning… I would personally rather go for the sport license. Its lower speeds and smaller planes, but the med part is easier to pass.
OK - please allow me to rant! In CA you just have to disclose to DMV that you have diabetes. They keep it on record just in case you have any issues while driving. No other tests or medical exams required. However - here is where the discrimination comes in. You are required to have liability insurance and the insurance company (if they know you are diabetic) will screw you by charging you more for the required insurance. Its discriminiation pure and simple. Alchoholics don’t need to pay more (only if they get caught). Speaking of discrimination - back in 1971 I was turned down for a job after my physical when they found out I was diabetic. Back then - discrimination was rampant. I’m still bitter to this day about that whole situation. Thank God its now illegal. I don’t disclose and once you are in they can’t terminate you. I’ve always been in good control so the reason is loss of revenue by the group insurance. OK well thanks for listening.
Maybe good news on the horizon ? Please visit www.peoplewithdiabetes.ca and Stephen Steele tells about his story , living with type 1 diabetes , flying with Air Canada since 2003 . Very empowering !
I recall being told at a pumpers meeting , that one can scuba dive . I just googled and found a young woman’s story , Melissa, maybe living in the US ? What I understand is that one needs a diving buddy , be in good control , carry fast acting glucose with you .All sensible advise .
My drivers licence was revoked prior to insulin pumping …long story : I had told my family doctor about some incidences at home and during my evening walk in the neighbourhood and suffered from hypoglycemic unawereness and collapsed .( He was awere , that I had reported this also to my Doctor , when living in another community several years prior .) The neighbours called the para medics ; my husband had successfully convinced me to eat glucose pills and BG was on the rise by the time the the medics took my BG .No hospital visit necessary !!
Doctor filled out the forms for my medical/drivers licence and they were sent to Victoria, BC ; they wanted clarification ; he is on holiday , caller decided my licence should be taken away …UPSET !! I was on the phone to the drivers licence bureau numerous times . Told them I would become an insulin pumper soon and within 3 weeks ( instead of bringing down the government , ha, ha …my joke ) I got my drivers licence returned .Presently back to a 5 year license .
I don’t recall exactly …but $ 35,00 seems to ring a bell . I wish I had a better memory , going back to 2001 ; I did not have a medical at renewal in 2008 ( expiry BD in 2013.)
I do recall being very upset about having to pay ( going back again to 2001) $ 45.00 ( ?) for licence renewal , which was revoked and I had to pay another $ 17.00 ( ?) when " they " in their wisdom decided to allow me to drive again .I did eventually get that money back .Squeeky wheel , so to speak ??
when iwas in mexico i was told i could not scuba dive. it was one of those things at a resort where you go in a huge group and don’t even go in water more than 10ft deep. When i went to sign up the instructor, a blond woman in her 20s (maybe!) said she could not, would not!, take me. i was too much of a liability for her and the company and that as far as she new diabetics were banned from doing it in the US for the same reasons and had NEVER heard of a diabetic being allowed to dive…she was an american and she was licensed in the US first…
well the way she said it she was primarily being very bitchy… i understand “i’m sorry, i’m not trained properly and i am not comfortable taking you incase something happens” I GET THAT! but that’s not what was said
My reply, as she probably weighed in the upper 100s if not 200 and she was really young… and i was hurt/mad/18… "how do they let you dive since your fat a** just sinks to the bottom? and how the f**k do you even fit in a wet suit?!"
I was wrong to say that…somewhat… she was a rude piece of crap person though…
Here they will take away your drivers permit every two years costs $100.00 in funny money to have the GP fill out a physical to let you drive again not covered by medicare. In my case I am so insulin resistant that it takes super human effort to go low.
i got my drivers license before i was diagnosed diabetic, but i bought my car a couple months later. I have full coverage and it will be a while (25) till i get my next one… i hope i don’t have to pay extra insurance for being diabetic! Is it differ from state to state?
I have State Farm and they specifically ask on the app about ANY condition which MAY affect your driving. This unfortunately includes diabetes. If you don’t disclose they may not cover in the event of an accident.
i had the army call me when i was in high school. the man talked to me for about 15 minutes and as soon as i told him i was diabetic he basically hung up on me
