Hi I want to start of saying that im not embaresed of my diabetes but when im wearing short sleeves and my pod is showing it seems like EVERYONE ask what is on my arm! i am a server and i will walk up to the table to introduce myself and people cut me off and say HEY WHATS THAT! I have been yelled at by across a street and then chased down by a man asking what was on my arm…i have manyyyyy rude stories but it makes me absolutely FURIOUS!!! Im not ashamed or anything but when comeplete strangers ask me it sets me off into a rage! Like how rude! it is absolutely NON of ur business what it is NONE! I dont know u! I was just wonderering if anyone gets as mad as me (if u havent noticed i have a temper lol) It really sucks when im working and i “have to be nice” so i cant say what is really on my mind…and even when i do get rude and say “o its nothing” to make it clear that i dont want to talk about it people REALLY dont get the hint and will start guessing. does neone eles get as mad? and what do u do about it?
Abud-
Im sorrh, but it is time to lighten up!!! I see that you have only had the big D for a few years, but ignorant people are going to drive you to an early grave if you dont just lighten up and let it be!!! In my 30 some odd years I realize that my pod is a strange sight for people, even doctors whenever I am at an appointment (with a new doc) will lask about it, and when I tell them what it is they ask many other questions about it. If doctors dont know what it is, then you have to understand the ignorance of the general public. If you cant just let it go then the next time you travel (going through security) You are really going to stress out! Also, questions in restaurants about your counting carbs etc. will really drive you nuts! ;I suggest you take a gander at a recent discussion re: ignoant comments on diabetes…it is enlightening as well as entertaining. Especially when the comments are coming from family members who should know better! I just consider myself to be an educator in these situations and feel that these people will find me interesting and strong to be dealing with what we have to deal with on a daily basis! PEACE!!
I love when people ask me about my pod. When I wear it on my arm I put it on as low as possible just so people will see it. I guess it is the only visible sign of my disease and I love that people don’t know what it is. I guess it is my visual reminder to everyone that I am diabetic and it helps to keep them on their toes. But that is just me and I am crazy for disease attention and I could see how annoying it could be for you even though you do not mind them seeing it they just interrupt your life with rudeness.
I don’t find it rude when they politely ask. (Being yelled at across the street would be a different story, for sure). My son simply came up with a quick answer to the question. Something along the lines of “It’s an insulin pump to help me manage type 1 diabetes”. MOst people don’t ask anything further. Others are very interested and if he has the time he will educate them. If it’s out in the open and highly visible most would think it okay to ask.
I’d chill out Abud.
I’ve been using a pod for the last 3 years of my 53 year challange since the age of 3. I’ve had nurses that are not in the know and they have asked me what it is and I then tell them it is an insulin pump. One response was where is the tubing? I loved that one because she was in the know about pumps but not up to speed with the tech chages being made. She also asked me about my Dexcom and I again explained it to her. I have been on cruises to europe and othe places and walk around the pool letting it all “hang out” Some people ask and are very interested in my old “war stories” from the 50’s and 60’s. It is a good time to eduacate as many people as I can about the issues with D.
Keep smiling it makes people wonder what you have been up to.
I would just tell them that it is my pancreas; that should shut them up!
Sue
Dinah,
Let your son know I AM VERY PROUD OF HIM!!! His answer to their question is great, not because it is short and sweet, but because it is the truth. Like I said in one of my earlier post on this blog site, we never hide our sons injections (not on the pod yet) BS testing, or anything. People need to be educated. Who knows someone that may ask your son may just be the person that has the final piece of the puzzle locked away somewhere in their brain that is the cure to this disease.
Adub,
I don’t have diabetes, my son does. BUT PLEASE, PLEASE, calm down and if you have time, let them know, be transparent, this is not a closet disease. Millions of people suffer with it. We need to educate them that you, my son, & everyone that has diabetes are normal people.
I love it when people ask, it gives me a chance to educate them about diabetes.
I think in this age of technology and how fast things change people are just curious as to what new high tech device is out on the market that they didn’t know about. Sometimes they probably ask because they want to know what it is, what it does, and where did you get it. I’m sure if you had a capped off trachea tube they wouldn’t ask you what it was…
I am in Italy right now and am having a hell of a time trying to explain what is on my arm…seems everyone thinks it is some sort of niccotine patch, but everyone is just voicing concern, and they seem to be really nice about it when I try to explain in broken Italian that it is a pumpa de insulino para diabetica hehe!
My daughter tells people who ask that it is a device that allows her to read their minds! It is fun to see their eyes widen and look away! 
Hey girl. Yes people can be rude and mannerless but I understand the curiosity.I am soon to get a Pod, my first pump. I plan to wear it on my stomach under my clothes. The arm and leg look like they would be prone for bumping off. Anyway, when people ask I will tell them either:
- I was abducted by aliens and they left this on me…LOL
- It’s a pump which is a faux pancreas to help me with Diabetes or
- It’s a 'NUNYA"…none of your business.
Most likely I’ll use number two. I can’t blame them for curiosity even if they are rude. Some people ask wheelchair users why they are in a wheelchair and amputees where their limbs ‘went’ or blind folks ‘what’s it like to be blind?’ so you can’t control rude people just how you react to them.
Good luck w/your diabetes and try not to sweat the small stuff.
I agree with whoever said that if you let people irritate you now, you have a long road ahead of you. It’s normal that people are curious. I would see it as an opportunity to educate people with a short answer and let it go. And before I had a pump, I would ask people who had them about them. You may be helping someone without even knowing it.
I tell people it’s a pacemaker…if they drop it I don’t say anything else because they likely wont understand if they truly believe that it’s a pacemaker…plus I’m really sarcastic about everything. Just my kinda humor. But if they look at me like I’m crazy I laugh and tell them what it really is.
I don’t usually get angry but I’ve had moments where I just want to be “normal” and not have the stares. That’s pretty normal I think.