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Lloyds pharmacy's statue of amputated limbs

A

alaska

Well-Known Member
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I see Lloyds Pharmacy have got themselves into a bit of bother regarding a 'shock tactics' campaign for Diabetes Week.

They ran a TV ad which received a number complaints which they have been working to remove.

They also erected a statue / mountain of amputated limbs in Trafalgar Square to highlight the seriousness of diabetes.

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http://web.orange.co.uk/gallery/4637?gallery_id=4637&image_position=8

It seems like a classic example of shock tactics and I rather doubt either a focus group was ran or a psychologist consulted about whether this is an appropriate way to conquer denial.

Currently Lloyds are answering questions from disgruntled people on their Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/lloydspharmacy?sk=wall&filter=1
 
I speak as an "amputee" here - At last someone is showing the sad truth that many try to ignore. Diabetes has, does and will always cause many people some terrible complications. The general public must be made aware of the facts. To many people, diabetes is a condition that means "avoid sugar and all will be fine". It can be as bad or worse than smoking but we don't worry about seeing gruesome ads there, do we?
 
People with diabetes may find it offensive. It is not aimed exclusively for diabetics.
As Mr B says, the general public need shock tactics so that they know that diabetes is a serious condition.
 
I, and most of my family find their misinformed campaign most offensive.This ignorance would be bad enough in a normal business, but is totally intolerable in a pharmacy business which should have the common sense to get it right.
To this end we shall be severing all ties to this company and transferring our pharmacy business elsewhere and shall be requesting that all our contacts do likewise.
 
I don't have a huge issue with their limb statue, I have more or an issue with their mis-representation on their advert regarding testing in their pharmacies for diabetes. They don't differentiate between types 1 and 2. And, only someone who has experience of either type of diabetes would know which type (2), the advert is aimed at! I realise that type 2 is in the majority, but as a Mother of a teenager with type 1 insulin dependent diabetes, I find this lack of differentiation and explanation but frustrating and annoying!
 
I can understand why people are very upset and horrified at Lloyds message to people with or without diabetes. However, it may be shock tactics, but the reality and seriousness of the condition, particularly those like myself who have type 1 diabetes, to take their diabetes control more seriously is what people need to realise. As it is a condition which can destroy every part of your system if not kept under control, or if you havn't realised you have the condition. And loss of limbs due to your nervous system and bad circulation, is one of the worser and more often forgotten part of being a diabetic. So I admire and agree with Lloyds shocking tactics, and I personally think the advert should be advertised upon TV.
 
I think I'm slightly uncomfortable with the fact that this campaign is being run by a commercial organisation that profits from diabetes (amongst other things), as opposed to one whose remit is to promote and support diabetes.

I'm okay with the actual shock nature of the campaign though. It seems fairly clear that this will work for some people and won't work for others - there's plenty of previous material around like this, i.e. drink driving or kill your speed not a child campaigns etc.

I don't think it is possible to create something that will have the desired effect on all people with diabetes, so that's not really an issue for me.

People will choose how they want to respond to this, so anyone who says that it puts them off taking proper care of their diabetes is, in my opinion, looking for an excuse to do so. I'm sorry if that seems harsh but that's my view.
 
I'm not on facebook so can't post a comment there but I just want to say that I am appaled by their advert and "statue". Shock tactics might be appropriate for people in denial, but for a child with Type 1 like my 9 year old daughter, who is not in denial and works hard every single minute of every single day of her life to manage the condition well it's an insult to show her something like this. If shock tactics must be done then it should be directly and discreetly aimed at those who are in denial. Those who put so much effort into managing their condition do not need to be reminded of the risks associated with the condition, they are giving their best already, frightening them offers absolutely nothing constructive or supportive in any way, shape or form.
 
I have seen a lot worse things on the box
Drunk Drivers Add ,Drugs ect
Kids playing on Xbox games blowing each others heads off

If the add was that shocking would need to go out after the water shed anyway

Did you see the man who killed himself Dignitas clinic BBC on this Monday ???
we did not have one comment from that :?:

if it prompts a few to get BG checked its worked

From my point of view ,,If it saves one set of legs ,,Job done


Bob
 
SophiaW said:
I'm not on facebook so can't post a comment there but I just want to say that I am appaled by their advert and "statue". Shock tactics might be appropriate for people in denial, but for a child with Type 1 like my 9 year old daughter, who is not in denial and works hard every single minute of every single day of her life to manage the condition well it's an insult to show her something like this. If shock tactics must be done then it should be directly and discreetly aimed at those who are in denial. Those who put so much effort into managing their condition do not need to be reminded of the risks associated with the condition, they are giving their best already, frightening them offers absolutely nothing constructive or supportive in any way, shape or form.
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I agree with you entirely that it's an insult to those of us trying our best... but I'd also say that those 'in denial' aren't going to benefit from it either. Loads of studies have been done that show that people go into denial, miss appointments etc not because they are stupid or lazy, but because they are scared. Certainly when I was younger I got very depressed by this kind of 'shock' campaign and it made me want to give up trying. So this kind of campaign isn't good for anyone.
 
Its a very cynical advert. Well even more than usual. They know very wwell that diet and exercise will not "reverse the risk" for everyone. They are "recruiting " future customers.- hoping many more will be diagnosed .

Short term profits from the tests and longterm profits from those diagnosed. Reinforcing the stereotype.

Who isn't "getting older"?
 
I agree that the advert is not going to be good for children, but then neither is most advertising or information campaigns. For once though, I disagree with some of the comments here - I am trying hard to take my diabetes seriously and have a good HbA1c at the moment and I don't feel it's insulting to me. If you feel it insults you, then of course I can't say it doesn't and I respect how it makes you feel but it is a generalisation to say that it is insulting to all people with diabetes trying their best. For me it reinforces why I'm trying my best.
 
Spare a thought for those who are "taking their diabetes seriously" ie doing everything they can to achieve good control - but it isn't working. In that situation, when I pleaded for help and just got told I'd "end up blind and legless" if I didn't "pull my finger out", this kind of campaign would just've made me more depressed and feel there was no point trying any more.
 
Spare a thought for those who are "taking their diabetes seriously"
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WHAT!!! I do ,,also been hit ,,,The Add still does not offend me

The recent Stroke add. Did that upset you poor tender souls as well :?
Life is not all fluffy cotton wool.

People with diabetes are far more likely to have a stroke than non-diabetics.

Believe i had/have good control I still had a TIA few weeks back
i was told it was more than likely down to diabetes :shock:

I have not seen any bad feed back from any poor souls that have had feet toes or legs
removed .?

If it brings awareness gets people talking, like its NOW done ,,,Job done

For me it reinforces why I'm trying my best.
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Agree 100%

I Bet Loyds ,Asda and others have done more good than harm with the free BG tests
If its ruffled a few feathers , Good ,, Wake up there is a Bogey man
the ****** has bitten me few times now


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The awareness that it's bringing is that people with diabetes are gonna lost their arms and legs? WRONG. How many children and teenagers, vunerable adults are now going to sit at home and worry? that are going to get the message that 'i'm gonna lose my arms and legs because i have diabetes'

The stroke advert is completely different. That advert is brilliant in showing what to recognise and how to react if you see someone with those symtoms. THAT advert will save lives.

The lloyds advert is extremely mis-informed. I read on the lloyds facebook page that a woman had to explain to her 8 year old son that he cannot 'reverse' his diabetes and if he doesn't take his insulin he will DIE. If i was that parent i would be even more offended than i am now.

What if people relate the statue and the lloyds add, and will now assume people with diabetes who have had limbs amputated beyond their control is their own fault? how is that going to make someone feel.

I believe shock tactics do work, like pictures on cigarettes, but people CHOOSE to smoke, people don't choose to have diabetes, and to be reminded of a serious complication like that so publicly is too far.

I know the complications of diabetes and do not at all need to be reminded in such a manner. Children to not need to have this thrust in the limelight when they struggle EVERYDAY at school and infront of their peers.

Picture this, a child at school, becoming confident in taking insulin and testing BG's infront of other children, this **** is shown on TV and in papers and adverts all around. another child notices and knows the other has diabetes, in the blunt way children speak 'oh you have diabetes, your arms gonna fall off' .. the child with diabetes now does not want people to know they have diabetes, will stop being confident in their diabetes care possibly affecting them later in life, what if they actually did develop complications and lose a limb.

Completely backwards thinking. They had the power to raise awareness about diabetes.

how many people are unaware they have diabetes, and will not NOT get tested because of fear.

The advert is ridiculous, the statue is tasteless.
 
Lloyds made a mistake by not differentiating between Type 1 and 2. They have apologised and are trying to put it right.
The man in the advert is actually a Type 1 amputee.
I have read through this thread and it seems that many Type 1's have never thought about the media portrayal of Type 2's. I wonder if we are viewed by them as lazy, fat slobs who ask for all they get? The media have been doing a good job of causing Type 2's a lot of grief for years but we have to soldier on. We know the truth and we know there are many reasons why people get Type 2. Our voice is never heard and we suffer emotionally if we let them get to us. There is an article at least once a week suggesting that we have reaped what we have sowed. No mention of stress, other medications, genetics, insulin problems etc..........
I have every sympathy for Type 1 diabetics and know that they did not bring this chronic condition on themselves. I always take my hat off to parents having to juggle the needs of their children with a family life.
I sometimes wonder if some people would feel happier if Type 2's had a visible symbol on their person so that people could be aware that we are the lazy fat slobs that the media is talking about.
 
Maybe the Lloyds campaign was rather crass and over the top but I am generally of the opinion that shock tactics can be necessary. I can understand it may be offensive to those with diabetes but the shock factor is often needed to give a wake up call to people at risk of developing type 2.

Short summary :-
Me = typical irresponsible bloke who hates doctors, never goes to the clinic unless it seems really serious and will go into denial about any illness passing it off as a hangover from a few days ago or a virus that will clear up.
Middle aged, overweight, lazy, doesn't eat healthily, knows he has to eat less and exercise but always puts it off and thinks 'screw it, I feel ok, maybe next week, give me some chips' (a profile which is quite typical imo).
Routine blood test -your BS is high, could be diabetic...eh I feel fine...yes well we need to do more tests..worry...frantically learn as much as possible about diabetes..see the possible complications...PANIC...SHOCK.....get diagnosis of pre-diabetes....change my life....NOW
So now I do a lot of the good things such as watch the carbs, exercise, be aware of my health etc.

I needed the shock but it came a little bit late for my liking.
..and I know this sounds grotesque but I would have been so grateful if 5 or 6 years ago some doctor, friend, advert on TV or anything had shown me images of amputated limbs and all the other nasty stuff with the intention of shocking me and said something exaggerated like 'this could easily be you - if you are pre-disposed to developing diabetes and if you keep filling your face with burgers and not exercising it's going to happen'.

Shock tactics work.
 
I agree shock tactics do work like i said in my previous post.

But i think it should be a last resort to ensure people see the seriousness of diabetes.

I just really feel it's unreasonable to have it done like this so publicly.

The media should have got the facts right. They should highlight the symptoms so people are aware to get checked out if they feel they have any. They should stop highlighting T2 as being because people are overweight.

I wonder how many T2's that have felt 'i can't be type 2 i'm not fat' and it's not because T2's are fat and lazy, it's because thats all it's concentrated on in the media and in GP surgeries.

I sigh with diappointment when i see advert's and campaign's about diabetes that don't bring up the fact that you can be of normal size and get T2, you can be an adult and still get type 1.

If i would have seen an advert to highlight that not just children can get T1 then i'm positive i would have paid attention to my symptoms sooner and not suffered thinking i had the flu or something.

If i would have supspected i had diabetes and saw that picture of that statue i would have NOT gone to the doctors in complete fear.

As a type 1 my main focus is on type 1 diabetes, but it doesn't mean i don't think about type 2 and the struggles, it pains me to see more and more people with T2 restricted of test strips and being labelled fat lazy ect. and thats mainly because of this site and i read of people with T2 everyday that are 100% dedicated and look after themselves better than people without diabetes.

That advert was against T1 by not clearly stating the difference and leading people to believe it can be 'reversed' with diet and exercise.

It was against T2 by yet again not getting past the predjudice that T2's are fat and lazy.

I know that many T2's are overweight. Heck i'm **** sure there's plenty of T1's who are overweight.

My father died when i was 13 from complications of diabetes, and i really do not appreciate that statue for that reason and many more. I've had my shock tactic and me and 1000's of people don't need one either.

we all have to carry around the predjudice that comes with many illnesses whatever type we are :(
 
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