From when I was diagnosed 2 years ago with T2, I have not hidden it from my colleagues, and I’m not shy to say that I am diabetic; particularly in workshops and meetings, where I frequently communicate my dietary needs.
Of late, I am realising that I am the only one that is open with my diabetes and that all my colleagues with diabetes do not declare their status and rather eat what everyone else eats than to say anything. One of them even asked me - “Are you proud about being diabetic?”. This surprised me and left me wondering if it’s just my open personality or whether there is something they are afraid of.
The sad reality is that there are many of us in my workplace with diabetes, and if only we spoke with one voice, we could make meaningful health-changes in our workplace, such as serving fruit in place of biscuits (which is the classic complement during meetings).