Anaelena
Well-Known Member
I revise this now to include all and any diabetics... I am not one to purposely leave others out . I only wrote this as my own experience as a type 1 . It s purpose was not to state type 2s do not have the same issues... And now MY UNEDITED RANT OF THE WEEK...In the summer I turned 6 I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and no, I do not have the same type of Diabetes that your Aunt Bertha got at age 65. They are totally different. There are about 23 million people who are Diabetic and only 5% of those have the same type I have..When I was a kid I was asked and told the most ridiculous things, not by friends or other kids but by Adults. "That is what happens when you eat to much sugar", "Is it contagious?" "My friend had that and it went away" Often times they would blame my parents or even me. Of course now that I am a loud mouth adult those comments would never fly..
What not to say to me A TYPE 1 DIABETIC...
1".Can you eat that or should you be eating that?"...I have been diabetic for 36 years, do you think I dont know what I can and cannot eat? I never say to a fat person can/should you eat that ? So show me some consideration.
2" Do you have BAD diabetes?" What do you think genuis? Is there a good Diabetes? All Diabetes is bad not only for the person who has it but for all the people in their lives who must deal with it too.
3."If you'd just exercise…or If you'd just eat better"…Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, unrelated to diet and exercise, It was not my parents fault, it is not my fault. Call it bad luck but unlike some type 2 diabetes it cannot be prevented
4."You don't look like a diabetic!".. Maybe it is meant as a compliment but just dont say it. It sounds as bad as someone saying" you dont look like a drunk!"
5. "My grandfather had that and he lost his leg, eyesight and eventually died of kidney failure." Gee thanks for that enlightening story. Can't wait to share that wonderful story with my kids tonight at dinner. Guess what? Your Grandfather was 80, probably had really good health most of his young life. I have had more surgeries and complications then I can put on both hands. I am alive and kicking and hope if I am lucky and with the Good Lords help to make it to your Grandfathers age. Can you explain to me why you would tell me that?
6." I could never do that." (Inject insulin, test blood.) When I was a little kid nobody asked me if I wanted Diabetes. Nobody asked me if I could do it. They never asked my parents if they could. Your saying you would rather be dead then "do it" or that you would give up on life? Spare me.
7. "Oh how sad, you"ll never have children"....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh surprise! Meet my two beautiful boys .
8 " I have seen Steel Magnolias" ...yeah, great she dies at the end. To me this is the equilevent of telling every black person you meet you saw the color purple or every Mexican that you saw... I was born in East L.A. or every gay man Birdcage. Steel magnolias has nothing to do with me and doesn't mean you understand my disease. thanks
9. "There is a cure but drug companies dont want the public to know"..I can write a book on why this comment is so bad..but I won't.
I hope a cure will be found for both Aunt Bertha and people like me. Until that time try and remember we all have our struggles. Think before you speak or even acknowledge you dont know the difference or that you really don't care. Just leave the lame comments for someone else.
What not to say to me A TYPE 1 DIABETIC...
1".Can you eat that or should you be eating that?"...I have been diabetic for 36 years, do you think I dont know what I can and cannot eat? I never say to a fat person can/should you eat that ? So show me some consideration.
2" Do you have BAD diabetes?" What do you think genuis? Is there a good Diabetes? All Diabetes is bad not only for the person who has it but for all the people in their lives who must deal with it too.
3."If you'd just exercise…or If you'd just eat better"…Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, unrelated to diet and exercise, It was not my parents fault, it is not my fault. Call it bad luck but unlike some type 2 diabetes it cannot be prevented
4."You don't look like a diabetic!".. Maybe it is meant as a compliment but just dont say it. It sounds as bad as someone saying" you dont look like a drunk!"
5. "My grandfather had that and he lost his leg, eyesight and eventually died of kidney failure." Gee thanks for that enlightening story. Can't wait to share that wonderful story with my kids tonight at dinner. Guess what? Your Grandfather was 80, probably had really good health most of his young life. I have had more surgeries and complications then I can put on both hands. I am alive and kicking and hope if I am lucky and with the Good Lords help to make it to your Grandfathers age. Can you explain to me why you would tell me that?
6." I could never do that." (Inject insulin, test blood.) When I was a little kid nobody asked me if I wanted Diabetes. Nobody asked me if I could do it. They never asked my parents if they could. Your saying you would rather be dead then "do it" or that you would give up on life? Spare me.
7. "Oh how sad, you"ll never have children"....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh surprise! Meet my two beautiful boys .
8 " I have seen Steel Magnolias" ...yeah, great she dies at the end. To me this is the equilevent of telling every black person you meet you saw the color purple or every Mexican that you saw... I was born in East L.A. or every gay man Birdcage. Steel magnolias has nothing to do with me and doesn't mean you understand my disease. thanks
9. "There is a cure but drug companies dont want the public to know"..I can write a book on why this comment is so bad..but I won't.
I hope a cure will be found for both Aunt Bertha and people like me. Until that time try and remember we all have our struggles. Think before you speak or even acknowledge you dont know the difference or that you really don't care. Just leave the lame comments for someone else.
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