Job discrimination because of diabetes

[kegstore]

I think my main point was that as a Type 1, insulin dependent diabetic for 20+ years, I have learned that 'sometimes' the human body does odd things. 'Sometimes' I can be hypo and not really know what is going on as confusion is a sympton of a low BG?!

Deb as a diabetic of 20+ years standing, you're actually at much greater risk of being unaware of hypos, than a newly diagnosed. And how do you know you're becoming unaware? Answer: you don't, and that's the scary part. Knowledge is a valuable thing but doesn't protect you from the consequences.

 

[Sid Bonkers]

I agree it's bull**** there is a co-piolt and pilot most of the time when flying and this is why T1's can fly in some parts of America and Canada.

And have we not just heard reported on the news about an American airliner that overshot its destination by 150 miles because both pilots were asleep!!! And they were I assume perfectly healthy non diabetics. I would not risk my or my families lives flying with any airline who employed insulin dependent pilots. And I say that as an insulin dependent diabetic...

 

[timo2]

The European Commission has just passed (reported 01 Nov) a directive allowing insulin-treated diabetics to hold group 2 licences (which includes large goods vehicles) subject to an individual assessment.

 

[kegstore]

I read this too. Sadly there's no information on the terms, scope and criteria of the individual assessments which will be key. The principle is a good one, but if the assessments differ little from the current methods employed by DVLA - and why should they - then I think the UK's roads will become a lot less safe.

 

[djs1990]

I read this too. Sadly there's no information on the terms, scope and criteria of the individual assessments which will be key. The principle is a good one, but if the assessments differ little from the current methods employed by DVLA - and why should they - then I think the UK's roads will become a lot less safe.

I would like to hope the criteria you have to pass is a lot more stringent than what I read ie a check every 3 years.

Personally I would say at least every 6 months, although as you say they haven't (as far as I can see) released any real info about how it will all be done.

I agree it's bull**** there is a co-piolt and pilot most of the time when flying and this is why T1's can fly in some parts of America and Canada.

And have we not just heard reported on the news about an American airliner that overshot its destination by 150 miles because both pilots were asleep!!! And they were I assume perfectly healthy non diabetics. I would not risk my or my families lives flying with any airline who employed insulin dependent pilots. And I say that as an insulin dependent diabetic...

O dear....so presumeably then you won't be getting onto a flight or taxi anytime soon, considering those who are in control are human. Please note I'm not actually making light jokes of that incident, quite frankly it astounds me that they can somehow overstep their destination by that much wihtout at least someone noticeing ie the cabin crew. Anyway not the point of this discussion

comatose at the wheel (not sure if that's what you meant?!) and I also hope that nobody who is semi-comatose at the wheel puts me

Also I think that this is also as relevant as anything else here, it's about the safety along our roads

 

[djs1990]

My comment Debloubed, refers to the fact you don't have a problem with the rules being relaxed/amended to permit people who, as you know yourself, are at risk of losing control.
As for Tony Truthful, please don't muddy the waters by changing the subject I commented on. Foreign drivers are not at the moment in my thoughts. Do you really think diabetics don't have hypos? I think you will find it is a fact, not an assumption, that they do!
Val

Sorry ,eamt ot refer to this in my last statement....not sure how I messed it up

 

[Debloubed]

My comment Debloubed, refers to the fact you don't have a problem with the rules being relaxed/amended to permit people who, as you know yourself, are at risk of losing control.
As for Tony Truthful, please don't muddy the waters by changing the subject I commented on. Foreign drivers are not at the moment in my thoughts. Do you really think diabetics don't have hypos? I think you will find it is a fact, not an assumption, that they do!
Val

Hi Val, not sure if you've misundestood me (or perhaps I'm not explaining myself well!) but it's not that I don't have a problem with the rules being relaxed, I was just trying to empathise and encourage a 19 year old who has a dream/goal! I did say that I wouldn't be happy getting in a plane with a diabetic pilot but that would be my choice. I think it should be DJS's choice to get his pilots license, but perhaps with certain restrictions or clauses. Bottom line, I just wish DJS the best of luck! I won't choose to fly with him, however :wink:

 

[valattrevear]

Hi debloubed, my main concern is not with pilots licences, as you say it is a personal choice as to whether you fly or not, but I am very concerned to think that someone who may lose control could be at the wheel of many tons of haulage vehicle. This is what the original post was advocating, the pilots licence issue seemed to be something he had resigned himself to. I have to use the roads, and I cannot accept that the issue of HGV, or even worse, PSV [or whatever the modern alternatives are] would not put all road users at risk.