At the complex where my new office is located, there is a Yogurtland that just recently opened. Since this place has opened, myself and a few co-workers, the Yogurt Crew, have frequented this place about 3 days a week. When walking back from today’s yogurt visit the subject of me drinking so much soda was brought up. My boss who is part of the crew was talking about how the amount of soda that I drink is not healthy, and that I could get myself to stop drinking it if I wanted to. The only problem is, is that I don’t want to. I said, “I have diabetes, I have bigger health problems than diet coke.”
The next part of the conversation was talking about how I can’t stand when people spread misconceptions about diabetes. I mentioned how I can’t stand Dr. Oz and one of my life goals is to get his show off the air and his books, shows, radio segments all put to rest. When asked why, I had a few examples, but basically just said that he spreads misconceptions about diabetes. And that by controlling your diet you can cure diabetes. I said that this statement is just 100% totally not true, however, part of the Yogurt crew mentioned that, this statement has some truth to it and there is information out there that can prove that diet can cure diabetes. I mentioned that, I have type 1 diabetes, no matter what I do with my diet, my diabetes isn’t going anywhere. Even with type 2 diabetes, a diet isn’t just going to fix things.
After a little explanation about the situation, I was able to educate them on this situation that they didn’t really know a lot about. I also explained that type 1 and type 2 get grouped together and people think that if I just lost weight, I wouldn’t be diabetic anymore. I am diabetic because I’m overweight idea. This is one reason that people don’t see diabetes as such a brutal disease and that it doesn’t get the respect that other diseases have. I’ve never heard someone say, “If you just exercise more and eat better your cancer will go away.” This is one reason why diabetes doesn’t get the funding that it should.
This is something that is very important to me, and I’m sure it is with you all also. Ronnie Gregory posted something today about diabetes being public. My diabetes is very public. One of the co-workers in the Yogurt Crew also today said to me, “I know Chris, you’re diabetic., during a conversation when I was talking about health related issues. And I said, “exactly, I want everybody to know every day that I have diabetes.” This is the only way that people are going to respect the disease. Wear diabetes on your sleeve, don’t hide your diabetes, share your diabetes stories, share the bad stories, share the good stories, called yourself a diabetic, call yourself a person with diabetes, call yourself an asshole if you want, I don’t care. But any way that the word of diabetes can be spread without the misconceptions, the better.
What are some of the reasons that you may not want your co-workers or people to know that you have diabetes?
Please comment.
I’ve been teaching my son, who was dx’d 2 years ago, that letting everyone know is a good thing. That way, if he has a problem people would know something’s wrong, not that he’s just being a stupid kid. I also wanted him to feel ashamed of having a body part on strike; it not his fault. The other thing Im trying to teach him, is to teach others – respectfully – about the many misconceptions out there. He’s a smart kid, and oddly enough people seem to listen when a he says that cinnamon won’t “cure” him.
How this will play put as an adult, I don’t know. I can understand why people don’t want their disease public knowledge, especially in light of today’s job market and health care costs. In a small company, I might be concerned that I’d lose my job to cut the company healthcare costs or some other nonsense
After a coworker actively tried to get me fired by making D-related absences an issue (they were only an issue for her), I’ve been extremely gun-shy about disclosure. When you need a job for health insurance you have to pick & choose your advocacy moments, IMHO.
I want my friends/coworkers to know that i have diabetes for the safety factor, “oh hey Lauren has definitely had a few too many cocktails” wait its 3 in the afternoon pretty sure i had not been drinking. But then sometimes you get treated differently like today at work we got to take leftover dinner that had not been served home which was followed by “Dont give Lauren all that food, remember she is diabetic.” It was chicken pasta and vegetables, pretty sure i can eat that. I think that the problem is the public is completely ignorant. There is a serious lack of education on the difference between type 1 & 2 but no one seems to care, even though this is not a rare disease. But still Im trying to stay positive when people ask me, “what is that THING on your hip?” like they are going to catch whatever i have. Some say ignorance is bliss, i say pick up a book.