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Today, I wrote to a national newspaper

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Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Bullies, Liars, Trolls and dishonest cruel people
Hi

Well, today I was looking through Monday's Daily Express. I came across an article regarding Theresa May's recent diabetes diagnosis.

This is what I wrote, with a couple of minor changes that I made at the last minute.


Dear Sir

I am writing in response to the article regarding Theresa May's diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes.

Theresa May is correct in saying:-

"The diabetes doesn't affect how I do the job or what I do. It's just part of life, so it's a case of head down and getting on with it" Which is the case for every diabetic with this medical condition. Yes it can be a battle, and a hard one at times. I have had Type 1 diabetes for 24 years now. I work, part-time as a carer, I am an older mum, I like walking, I cycle, I do a large majority of DIY, gardening, shopping and I try to keep active and busy. I do not drive, so I am always on the go.

Your opinion , on page 12 of Monday's paper, July 29 2013 quoted :-
Theresa May is as brave in her personal life as she is in her political one. The Home Secretary's honesty in talking about her daily struggle with Type 1 diabetes provides hope and inspiration to other sufferers. " It's just part of life...... so it's a case of head down and getting on with it", she says. Courageous words and everyone will wish her well.

Her words are so true, Theresa May and the many thousands of fellow Type 1's do exactly the same thing. Courageous? I'm sure a lot of other diabetics wouldn't use that word. A far better word would be determination, to not let this disease beat us either medically or physiologically. It's a medical condition that we have to look after very carefully and keep our blood sugars stable and in a good range to avoid diabetic complications. We rule diabetes, diabetes doesn't rule us.

Maybe a good and honest journalistic portrayal of this condition would not go amiss from your newspaper. It's about time Mr and Mrs Joe Bloggs should be able to tell the real story of ordinary people living with diabetes week in and week out, year after year after year.

Yours faithfully


I have never done anything like this before and I know that the more I thought about it, I would of persuaded myself not to write to the newspaper. But it's how I feel and I wanted to give a real version of it. What will happen, to be honest, I have no idea.

If anyone feels the same and would like to write or email the newspaper, I have the address if anyone is interested.

Take care and best wishes RRB :)
 
heyyy nice job :) ill look out for you on what the papers say next week :)
 
Excellent. :thumbup:

I felt like sending an email to the lady herself explaining that she should ignore the NHS advice and join this site. But I think it would take a cleverer person than me to word it right. I just wanted to point out that her health was more important than NHS guidelines.
Nicely done RRB, I will now have to either find someone I know who gets the Express, or you can tell us which issue it appears in.
 
lrw60 said:
Excellent. :thumbup:

I felt like sending an email to the lady herself explaining that she should ignore the NHS advice and join this site. But I think it would take a cleverer person than me to word it right. I just wanted to point out that her health was more important than NHS guidelines.
Nicely done RRB, I will now have to either find someone I know who gets the Express, or you can tell us which issue it appears in.

I follow the NHS advice Hba1c 34 ta muchly from 139 at diagnosis, more than one way to skin a cat mate.
 
So did you ever get a reply RRB?
 
Hi Yes I did get a reply and the editor said it was being passed on to the a lady in the Health section ( sorry I cant remember the exact words). It will be up to her whether or not she will do a piece on the subject of diabetes.

Thanks for asking, if I hear anything I will let you know:)

Best wises RRB
 
Top job and so well done too RRB :thumbup:
 
nice one :)
Would love to see an article in a national newspaper giving am accurate representation of living with type 1 diabetes. Even better a tv documentary.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
brett said:
nice one :)
Would love to see an article in a national newspaper giving am accurate representation of living with type 1 diabetes. Even better a tv documentary.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

That would be great brett, a proper factual day to day account of the up's and down's ( and maybe a few light hearted bits in there as well) from Joe Public. Not the Diabetes Specialists, GP's or DSN's. A newbie, a parent caring for a young child, teenagers and the long term diabetic, who would give an honest account of it all, with the determination and perseverance to try and have good blood sugar control and to lead a normal life.

Best wishes RRB
 
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