I’m not Diabetic but my 7 yr. old is. Sometimes Diabetes will come up with people and they always seem to be an expert on the subject of Diabetes. For example, “Diabetes runs in the family, blah, blah, blah” or "yah, she exercises and ate a low-glycemic diet and her Diabetes went away. I humbly let them know that Type 1 is different than Type 2, etc. A lot of people seem to get offended when I correct them. I’m not condescending or anything.
Honestly, I’d rather not talk about Type 1 Diabetes to anyone who does not live with it. Not unless someone asks a question. Most of the time, people just make incorrect statements or stupid statements.
Do you feel this way?
1 Like
I got diabetes when I was about your kid’s age. When I was a kid, people would always tell me those sorts of things; because I was a little kid and I only vaguely knew the difference between type 1 and type 2, I would generally just nod and tell them I sympathize.
These days, I still get the same thing. I’ll test my sugars in public, and someone (who’s about 60) will come up and say they were diagnosed 3 years ago and how it’s just awful. Because I don’t really want to offend them, and I figure they’re just trying to show a bond - you know, how people do; to show they share something with you, they tell you they have an aunt/3rd cousin once removed who has diabetes - it’s just something people do to socialize, they try to find common ground. So I let it go, and I don’t tell them that having type 1 diabetes for 20 years from when you’re a kid is a bit different than getting type 2 when you’re an adult. I just nod and smile and let it go. If someone shows interest and asks questions, I’m happy to respond, but otherwise, it seems like a waste of time, because they probably won’t listen to me anyway.
Tom I’m sure you’re taking it the wrong way. She means older citizens with outdated views on diabetes in general; thinking that t1 and t2 are exactly the same thing.
I didn’t mean to insult. I just meant that there is a big difference between being type 1 from the time you’re a small child to being diagnosed at age 60. I would much prefer to have gotten diabetes at age 60, so I didn’t have to worry about my blood sugars for my whole childhood and the rest of my life. I’m sorry if that makes me a bad person.
I wouldn’t necessarily say they are stupid, that’s a bit harsh. They probably have no direct experience with the disease and only rattle off what they hear in the media. Frustrating for someone understanding the intracacies of the disease such as yourself, but they are not stupid.
I think you are very right…people are trying to find a common bond.
Most people care. However… they want to hear everything is fine and things are either on the mend or you are attending to it. They don’t understand that it’s a daily concern and that it’s not easy.
When I told my college friends I got the typical responses of ‘my dad has it and he’s tending to it with diet & working out’ or ‘glad you are ok now’ (I was sick at first). I actually get more miffed at the ‘glad you are ok’ statement. I’m not ok…I can’t go out to eat anymore (ok, I can but it’s not easy). I can’t go to the grocery store and pick out what I want. I’m doing alright but it’s not a ‘normal’ lifestyle.
I’m a mild diabetic with Celiac and have chosen to take insulin (non-IR issues). If my disease is 5% of what others are going through…but there you have it…people don’t understand what it’s like. I was in that group of not understanding nor really caring (you know…not my problem, sorry you have it) until I got sick.
I completely agree with you on this! My grandfather’s second wife was Type 2 and we used to go rounds after I was diagnosed at 24. Nod and smile!
As for insulting anyone; I don’t think it matters when the majority of that persons posts are negative laced with a hit of superiority, that along with stealing a $3.50 photo off iStockphoto I wouldn’t give much weight to their comments.
Honestly, I do understand, even as a Type 2. I actually had someone say, “We’re watching our weight to make sure we don’t get it.” Umm, ok… Was he saying I’m fat??? I was only about 30 lbs overweight when diagnosed, not heavy enough to blame my weight. Also I was two weeks shy of 38 yrs old. Nope, can’t blame my age either. I make sure to wear my bracelet everywhere because so many people don’t believe me when I say I’m Type 2. Why would I make that up? Sorry, guess I needed a mini-vent, too.
I do like making connections with my kids’ friends who have Type 1 because we do share a few of the same struggles, though I do understand there are more differences than similarities. {{{hugs}}} to you all!
Oh honey I had to get used to that long ago! I’ve been a Type 1 for 36 years now and the kids at my school (and their parents too) wanted to stay as far way from me as possable b/c their kids might “catch it”. It does get discusting when ppl want to try and tell you about what yoou know about! Just hang in there!
My point WAS people who DON’T have Diabetes. I wasn’t trying to slight Type 2’s at all. Geesh. Anyways, I’m not responsible if someone takes offense.
So, my original point was I just don’t like it when someone who knows little to nothing but makes ridiculous comments or thinks they are experts because they know someone with Type 2. They tend to categorize Type 1 with Type 2.
I’m continually amazed at how people don’t understand much about diabetes. Oh, insulin is a cure. Nope, not a cure, it’s a treatment. I bet you ate too much sugar as a child. Oh, you’re on a pump, your diabetes must be bad. Should you be eating that? You don’t look sick. I test once a day since I can tell where my blood sugar is, why can’t you? (I about passed out when someone told me this!)
Some people I correct, others I just smile and nod. I don’t mind educating some people, I prefer them to understand more than they did when they opened their mouth. I smile when I hear my kids telling people about diabetes, they actually listen and get it! I know the majority of people are well meaning, but don’t tell me your diabetes is worse than mine. It all sucks.
Someone once asked me if diabetes was contagious. I replied if it was, everyone would have it. Good grief!
Agreeed! Know what your talking about! Don’t worry about other’s.
so why bring it up at all? i’m eternally grateful my parents never disclosed my T1 to anyone. to this day – 50 years later – only my mother, my wife, my kids and my doctor know. it has made life so much easier.
WELL SAID CARA!!!
This is something that we all deal with and it’s not going to stop. I wonder if you might start preparing Chris on how to handle the incorrect or stupid statements and conversations that are going to present themselves. I personally just let them “educate” me and move on.
I am type one and my well educated father-in-law asks me every time I see him(twice a year) if I have been able to “get off the insulin”. Drives me crazy, but it’s just not worth explaining why I will never get off the insulin! I just smile and let it go:)
Jamie, You do know that you are really NOT Tom Duncombe, right? You just try to impersonate him? Nobody that commented on this thread was putting down Type 2 Diabetics.
THANK YOU ROBYN!!!
Chris’smom…you are exactly right…AS a parent of a type 1…they lump 1’s and 2’s together…I think it is a natural thing for folks who are not educated on diabetes to do…they mean no harm, but never let us fully explain the differences either…IMO ,Tom should not take offense…I don’t believe that you meant any harm in stating that the majority of everyday people don’t know the differences…bottom line…my own family did not even get it…so I use the word Autoimmune and explain from that viewpoint. I too,chose not to discuss much unless it is with another Type 1 parent who can fully grasp what children go through and will continue to have their entire LIFETIME…
no offense ,Tom…I hope 