Rant

[Totinytobeseen]

Today I was talking to a girl that goes to my school about how I didn't feel the greatest because my blood sugar were high. She told me that "It's not like it's cancer or anything so I don't see why it's a big deal, you'll be fine." I realized that alot of non-diabetics see it that way. They assume it doesn't matter because you won't die. 1 that's not anywhere near true, many die everyday to diabetes related causes. Diabetes is a big deal, am I the only one who feels this way?

 

[Jimmy92]

A lot of people don't relise there's a lot of long term complications from diabetes. Most people just see you do an injection every now and then an think that's the extend of it. You can always try to educate them but that get pretty old after you've heard "so if you eat sure you'll die right?" So man times. It really gets on my nerves too so don't worry your not the only one. If they're your friend I'm sure if you did explain it they'd be more understanding

 

[zand]

Hmmm well firstly the girl missed the fact that what you were telling her was that you don't feel well when your blood sugars are high. Just as someone with a cold or flu or sickness and diarrhoea doesn't feel well at the time, they will be fine when they have recovered too, but I'm sure they would have got some sympathy from this girl. I don't expect any of these would have got the same reply from her, it's simply ignorance. Ignore it.

Secondly no, it's not like cancer. Many cancers can be cured nowadays. It is very hard for a young person to face up to the fact that they have to live with diabetes forever. However once that fact is faced then the future can look much brighter. if you do try to explain, try to do it calmly and without getting angry, you have more chance of getting your point across if you don't get as cross as I feel on your behalf right now!

 

[Oldvatr]

I believe Angelina Jolie has a tattoo on her arm that states 'What i eat is killing me'.

 

[Jaylee]

I see it slightly different.

Your friend may have been trying to talk it into the positive? Both for you & herself.
@Totinytobeseen is it possible your friend has lost someone to cancer or knows someone diagnosed...?

Sometimes people mean well, but convey it the wrong way...

 

[RAPS_od]

Diabetes is a big deal.
My experience has been that people don't get it at all or they want to tell you about their [fill in the blank] who had diabetes and didn't take care of themselves and lost their [eyesight, foot, life, etc]. Both responses are borne from a lack of understanding and in some cases, a lack of compassion.
When someone gives me the "you'll be fine, stop complaining" line, I've taken to asking them to consider my side of it. I have to live with this everyday and it affects every aspect of my life, not feeling well is going to happen and I will most likely mention it again, and if they have a plan where I can feel better I'd sure like to hear it. It's confrontational, yes, but sometimes I feel I have to be confrontational to defend myself.