Working with Diabetes

[Cjburny]

Hey guys and gals, I'm a T1 diabetic and have been for around three months now but I'm only just getting back into the working sector again and getting my life back on track.

Now the work place I'm in (CEX) is a great place to be, I'm a huge nerd so it's pretty much my natural habitat...

But naturally everyone I work with is clueless about diabetes, I've tried to explain things to them as best I can when they ask questions but sadly I'm stuck with the usual "isn't diabetes that disease where you can't have sugar" situation...

I know they mean well and being Dyslexic I'm not to great at explaining things in a way that most people would understand, so does anyone have maybe a website that covers everything about said disease from a perspective of a non diabetic?? Just something I can kinda give to them to help them not feel so clueless on the subject.

Most of them go out hunting for sugar free sweets and foods for me to eat on their lunch and as a few of you might know, these are usually expensive and no better for me thank regular snacks

Thanks guys, hope everyone's doing ok with there day to day lives

 

[urbanracer]

Personally, I believe that the information on the front end of this website is fairly comprehensive and written in a non-specialist format that most could understand.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/having-diabetes.html

 

[Bic]

Hey guys and gals, I'm a T1 diabetic and have been for around three months now but I'm only just getting back into the working sector again and getting my life back on track.

Now the work place I'm in (CEX) is a great place to be, I'm a huge nerd so it's pretty much my natural habitat...

But naturally everyone I work with is clueless about diabetes, I've tried to explain things to them as best I can when they ask questions but sadly I'm stuck with the usual "isn't diabetes that disease where you can't have sugar" situation...

I know they mean well and being Dyslexic I'm not to great at explaining things in a way that most people would understand, so does anyone have maybe a website that covers everything about said disease from a perspective of a non diabetic?? Just something I can kinda give to them to help them not feel so clueless on the subject.

Most of them go out hunting for sugar free sweets and foods for me to eat on their lunch and as a few of you might know, these are usually expensive and no better for me thank regular snacks

Thanks guys, hope everyone's doing ok with there day to day lives

Hi Cjburny,
try and google 'Huffington post type 1 diabetes': author Riva Greenberg wrote several fine articles about what diabetes is, what T1 is (in itself, and as opposed to T2) and what living with T1 is. All very clear, matter of fact and catching, at the same time. I printed some of them and am in the habit of giving them to people, when I need them to know the essentials yet don't feel like talking to them (I'm rather ineffective when speaking, as well, especially to someone I'm still unfamiliar with).
Hope you find this useful.
Best wishes, have a nice day!

 

[Cjburny]

Thanks for the replies guys, took the key parts from both and stitched them together, big help!

Naturally I'm the same I'm great at explaining a lot of stuff but my diabetes isn't one of them

 

[TorqPenderloin]

I know the ignorance is annoying but don't be "That guy" and send everyone a link about diabetes. I doubt that will be received in the way you hope it will be.

The problem is, that can make you seem like you're bitter and looking for attention. I'm not saying that you are, but that's how it can be perceived.

I try to subtly educate people in these situations, but I'm always pleasant and optimistic about it. I will tell people that I CHOOSE not to have sugar because my diet doesn't allow for it and I don't want to get fat, but I make it clear that it's not because of my diabetes.

 

[loafhead]

Thanks for the replies guys, took the key parts from both and stitched them together, big help!

Naturally I'm the same I'm great at explaining a lot of stuff but my diabetes isn't one of them

I agree with torqpenderloin. My mother tried to educate the teachers, parents and kids in my school when I was diagnosed and it makes people view you differently and as you say give no sugar foods etc . Since my working life started I mention I have it to HR, I eat normally including sugar, I test and inject publicly and correct for hypos. People ask what and why I am doing but that is OK, most don't notice or care. The only thing I would say is what to do in an emergency, how they could treat you or find someone you know or trust to educate. It doesn't have to be mass education. To go back to my early point despite all that effort my mum put in, the head of school said, "if anything happens, I'll just call an ambulance". So look after yourself and find a few people who seem interested enough to share some vital information with.