Hey there sweethearts! Long time, no see!
I need to write tonight.
I had a frustrating experience today. In the moment, I said nothing because I honestly thought it would do no good. But I really wish now that I had. Our clinic where I work was treated to a big array of yummy breakfast foods this morning. Part of that was a waffle bar. In line for waffles, some ladies, who I don't know, made a diabetes joke that was really distasteful. It made me wonder more than ever before, when did it become socially acceptable to make fun of someone's diabetes? I don't care if it's type 1 or type 2. People would never point and laugh at someone who has lost a leg, or someone who has a congenital heart defect. Why? Because those are very difficult medical problems that can be life threatening! What they said today was the equivalent of pointing and laughing at a type 2 diabetic and saying "Haha, your body doesn't use insulin like it should so you require medication to help your body use insulin properly. Haha! And odds are that you got it from eating this waffle. Haha....". It's like pointing at a type 1 diabetic and saying "Haha, your pancreas doesn't produce insulin anymore so you have to take manufactured insulin in order to stay alive, whether you are eating or not. If you don't, you'll die. Haha.". I'm aware it was not meant maliciously, and they obviously didn't know what they were saying. But this is the literal interpretation of what they said. It isn't funny. I think of my type 2 friends and all that they struggle with to keep their blood sugar in range. It's so hard! Even with good diet and exercise, things are not always perfect. I think of myself and my fellow T1D friends, both old and young, a couple of which I know are battling 600+ blood sugars and ketones tonight. It just isn't funny. Please, all I ask is think before you make a diabetes joke. I'm usually a pretty good sport and I can just let it roll off, but I've heard and seen too much of this lately. So I'm starting with me. I'm spreading the awareness. Thanks for reading.
