Type 1 Diabetes Bullies - London’s Calling - And They Want You To Get A Clue!!
When I was little and newly diagnosed, there were a few classmates who called me “Diabetes Head.” Which was a stupid name and made absolutely no sense. I cried at home, but laughed it off at school, and may or not have mentioned something about said classmates mothers being whores who wore combat boots in the process.
Most of my classmates were good about it,& I’m working on a future post about that time in my life, and what my classmates thought and taught me all these years later, but that’s for another time.
When I was in college, my friends always looked out for me, not because I had diabetes, but because that’s what friends did. Still, I think they worried a lot. SO much so, that they were in peoples face at the first spark of idiots regarding diabetes.
Now as a full-fledged adult, I usually get the same reaction when people find out I’m a diabetic. I wrote about recently in my post, “What the F Do You Mean I look Good for Being A Diabetic?"
Stereotypes regarding Diabetes SUCK.
We are often told we are to fat; eat too much sugar and HFCS. Our parents are chastised for poor parenting skills.We get dirty looks every time we bolus for a cupcake.
Many feel that a life with diabetes is “Steel Magnolias” and that we’ve basically dug our own grave so to speak.
People have looked me in the eye and said "I hope you learned from your sisters mistakes!"
Potential dates have been turned away in the process.
We get “the look,” when we tell folks about our diabetes.
You know the one. It’s a cross between pity,and “Well, you asked for it,” look.
NO, we didn’t ask for it. But we accept it and we live great lives despite diabetes and the idiots who spread diabetes misconceptions.
These misconceptions lurk at every turn. At work; at school, in a restaurant, or on the train- anywhere the public sees us. People either consider you tragic, or marvel that your living any life at all.
.
Our diabetic buds across the pond (Diabetes UK) sent me an email this morning telling me about a video they produced on the subject, called “Setting The Record Straight.”
It's posted above can be found on both their website & You Tube
The script was based on comments that real type 1 kids hear everyday.
Kid or not, it hits home. Take a minute to watch and send the video to someone who might need a Type 1 Diabetes “refresher course!”
Kerri wrote a great post about the video and diabetes stereotypes over at SUM this morning and also eferred to some wonderful examples on the subject
by both Sara & a George, who tweeted about D misconceptions. Be sure to check them out!
POST SCRIPT:
Today on Twitter, I was reminded just how easily the diabetes stereotypes are spread. Coincidence that I'd just received an email from Diabetes UK or fact? YOU BE THE JUDGE.
I had looked up #HFCS on Twitter’s Trending Topics and there were a massive number of tweets regarding the subject. Scrolling along, I found that someone had tweeted something along the line of” “wanna be a diabetic? Eat #HFCS.”
And then there was a tinyurl to an article linking the two. Now, I know that HFCS causes obesity in this country, which can lead to type 2 Diabetes and I know that in her heart, this “tweeter” was in the right place. I HATE HFCS! But I also know t2 is genetic and that all Diabetics (t1 & t2 alike) are constantly being told “if you just cut out all the refined sugars and flour in your diet, you’d be off insulin in a month!”
I tweeted her back and said “#Diabetes is not character flaw & we have 2 fight that #stereotype EVERYDAY. I could run marathons everyday & still need insulin.”
I continued to Tweet her about my family history & eating habits because she actually thought that might have something to do with it. Then I tweeted about diabetes stereotypes and sent her a direct link to the Diabetes UK video. Guess what? She retweeted the diabetes FACTS, and I was happy that another person learned something about what being a diabetic means.
The Day To Day Diabetesaliciousness Shortcuts of It All
Shortcut A'La Louise BrooksSo we all know that diabetes requires us to think on our feet and always be prepared, Boy Scout or not. Both are easier said then done at times, but are requirements just the same.
Here are are few shortcuts that help me in the day to day Diabetesaliciousness of it all.
Let me know what you think. And PLEASE folks of dBlogville, feel free to share your Shortcuts with Diabetesaliciousness as well.
1. I've placed spare batteries for my pump in every handbag/workbag/gym bag I own.
I also have a spare battery in my wallet and in my Blood Sugar Machine side pocket. Sounds like overkill? Maybe, but I can't tell many times my Energizers have crapped out on me after only a few days. Other times, 1 battery will last for months. It's like the Diabetes Gods are messing with my head in the form of a Triple A battery lifespan. Also during the summer, the heat literally eats my batteries and I need backup. FYI: I keep the batteries in those little plastic baggies that our lancets come in. They are the perfect size for batteries. They are also perfect for cocaine, at least according to "Law and Order, SVU". But, I digress.
2. When using said spare pump battery, replace ASAP.
3. I keep spare infusion sets in my car, at my mom's house, and in my best friends spare bathroom. Also, I make sure I have a spare IS in my hand, work, and or gym bag. That way I'm prepared for any and all doorknobs, no matter where they might be.
Sidebar: Am I the only person in dBlogville who's ever ripped out their infusion set by getting it caught on her cars emergency break? Yes, the spare Infusion Set came in handy that day!
FYI: Same rule applies for test strips. I always keep a spare in my work and gym bag.
I also have a vial with a few space lancets in my car console.
4. LaraBars make life easier, and certainly more delicious! Larabars are these incredibly tasty, (yet durable,) gluten free snack bars that are fantastic when it comes to treating low blood sugars. They are also great to bring on workouts. These delicious bars come in a variety of flavors; (my personal faves are Banana, Apple, Cinnamon Roll, and Chocolate Coconut,) and are the perfect blend of protein and carbs for active folks, Diabetic or not. LaraBars are high in fiber, big on taste, and will hold up in the heat. Holding up in the heat is a BIG in my book. Once, during a 7 mile walk, my sugar was going south and I pulled out my trusty chocolate covered granola bar. As soon as I open up the wrapper I knew I was in trouble. I ended up with chocolate all over my face, hands, and clothes. By the time I ate the granola bar, I was one chocolate mess, and not in the good way!
5. And yes, I keep spare LaraBars in my car,work & gym bags, just in case.
6. When I find sneakers that really fit well and feel good, I buy two pairs and rotate.
7. As a rule, I normally don't drink soda, diet or otherwise. BUT, I do keep an emergency can (actually, it's a six-pack) of ginger ale under my bed. When I get those emergency lows in the middle of the night, I just reach under the bed and grab a can. I only drink half and it does the job. Plus, soda cans are recyclable, juice boxes are not
8. Learn to make 2 or 3 really good tofu dishes. I know that all of us have had some terrible tofu experiences. The key to good tofu is to marinate, and to marinate well and for multiple hours -at least two. Tofu is a magical food and delicious when done right. It's low in carbs, high in protein, and takes on the taste of whatever your marinating it in. If you master a few dishes, you can eat all you want and reach Blood Sugar Nirvana. On an economical note, Tofu is cheap eats.
9. Whenever I go to the beach, I bring a mini cooler. In said cooler I place an Icepack, a Frio pack, my Blood sugar machine, a spare pump battery (i the B.S. machine side pocket) my lipstick/gloss (very important to keep your lipstick/gloss chilled in hot weather), and a frozen bottle of water or two. When I get my chair situated in the sand,
I take out a frozen bottle of water and let it start to melt. I drink cold ice water all day!
When it's time to go in the ocean, my pump goes in the cooler. I ask a friend to watch it and off I go to take on the waves. If I'm on the beach by myself, I take the pump and a Frio pack and place it in a small canvas bag not much bigger than the pump itself, and take it up to the Life Guard Stand. I explain to the LG about my non-water proof insulin pump and he or she places it on the stand while I take a dip in the Atlantic.
10. Keep a roll of Smarties in your car at all times, but most of you all ready know that!
;^)
