Things People Say About Type 1 Diabetes

I know a lot of people who read my blog are friends of my parents or friends on Facebook. For those people I wanted to clear up some confusion. For the people who read my blog that have diabetes or know people with diabetes, this will probably just make you laugh.

The following are things people ask/tell people with Type 1 diabetes that are completely inaccurate and sometimes insensitive. Before I was diagnosed I had no idea about what people with Type 1 diabetes go through, and I am sure I would have asked someone similar questions had I had the opportunity. So its not anyone’s fault that we as Type 1 diabetics get asked stuff like this, but its still annoying.

1) “But you’re not fat!” Type 1 diabetes doesn’t have anything to do with body weight. It is an auto-immune disease in which–for whatever reason– the pancreas does not produce any insulin, and therefore cannot combat rising levels of glucose due to carbohydrates and sugar in the blood.

2) “I know you can’t eat this.” Actually…I have Type 1 diabetes, I can eat pretty much whatever I want. I just have to give myself enough insulin to cover whatever carbs/sugar I’m about to eat. As previously mentioned, Type 1 diabetes doesn’t have anything to do with weight. People with Type 2 can carefully monitor their diets and sometimes minimize or reverse the effects of their diabetes. But those of us with Type 1 will have it forever, unless there is a cure.

3) “You obviously have Type 2 because you were diagnosed when you were 21.” Type 1 diabetes used to be called Juvenile Diabetes, and many people still refer to it as such. However, Type 1 can happen to anyone at any age with out cause or explanation. Mary Tyler Moore, who is one of the world’s most famous Type 1 diabetics, wasn’t diagnosed until her mid-30’s.  Most Type 1’s are diagnosed in childhood as their pancreases stop functioning more quickly. However, I have no good explanation as to why mine decided to give up 20 years later, but it did.

4) “When will it go away.” It won’t. There is not yet a known cure for diabetes.

5) “What did you do that caused it.” Nothing. Diabetes is not preventable and until you have it, there aren’t any signs that you do. (Unless you have a genetic predisposition and view that as a sign.)

6) “That’s gross.” This is in reference to shots, finger pricks, my pump, other people’s pumps etc. Some people have asked me to leave the room they are in while I am checking my sugar, and others have gotten disgusted at the sight of me giving myself a shot. I know other diabetics who have told me similar stories, as well as non-diabetics who have informed me that I am not “gross about my diabetes” unlike other people whom they know. Before I was diagnosed, I probably would have been bothered  by seeing blood from someone else at my dinner table, or watching someone give themselves a shot. However, I feel that it is important that people see what diabetics have to go through, as it promotes awareness. I never check my sugar just on a table at a restaurant. However I will check it with my meter in my lap and my hand under the table, and if someone asks I will show them. I have given myself shots in public as well. When I receive odd looks, I feel that it is important that I don’t run to a bathroom and hide my disease. That being said, I dispose of everything appropriately and use alcohol wipes and hand sanitizer. Once I had a meeting with my teacher about the class I had missed while I was in the hospital immediately following my diagnosis. I was very paranoid of having a low blood sugar at the time, as I had not experienced one yet. When I was in her office, I realized I was having my first one. I asked her to stop speaking as I was sweating and could not concentrate on what she was saying. I told her my sugar was low and I needed to check it. She said “I think it would be best if you did that in the bathroom.” So I stumbled down the hallway and up a flight of stairs and sat in the corner on the floor and checked it. I don’t remember how low it was, I just remember feeling very ashamed and embarrassed of how she had treated me. Diabetes is not gross. Its unfortunate. That teacher was a horrible woman anyway.

Can other diabetics think of any annoying things that they here?? Let me know!