Robert’s story: people stereotype what a person with diabetes ‘should’ look like

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes four years ago, at the age of 53, following a series of medical tests. 

The diagnosis came as a complete surprise, as I had always associated type 1 diabetes with younger people. At that time, my twin brother was living with type 2 diabetes, but sadly, he passed away just as my own diabetes treatment was beginning. His loss, combined with my unexpected diagnosis, made that period of my life especially challenging.

Managing type 1 diabetes as an adult has presented unique challenges, but it has also provided valuable insight into the condition and its impact on daily life. My journey continues to evolve as I adapt to the demands of insulin therapy and ongoing self-management.

When I told people I had diabetes, their reactions often shocked me. I’d hear things like, ‘Really? No way! You’re not fat enough,’ or ‘You can’t be – you don’t eat unhealthy things. You don’t look like a diabetic.’

 It’s amazing how people stereotype what a person with diabetes ‘should’ look like and how little they actually understand about what diabetes really is.

"Those sorts of comments were so awful, especially as I was diagnosed a few weeks after both my father and brother had passed away."

It’s been difficult enough to learn how to manage the diagnosis and treatments plus all the challenges it brings day to day without the added pressure of having to explain it all – while mentally also dealing with grief, plus having to do my best to adapt to my fitness regimen with medication and the highs and lows of my blood sugar.

When you hear of other life-threatening conditions people will always ask, ‘How are you doing?’ but somehow, with diabetes people don’t know or understand how life-threatening this can be and actually don’t ask how you’re feeling at all. 

They just assume as you’re living your life that you’re fine and they have no idea on how much we could struggle day to day to manage our diabetes.

Assumptions  

It’s clear that some people don’t really understand my diabetes or that it’s something beyond my control. When I tell people – especially those I’ve known for years – they often ask if I got diabetes because I used to eat too many sweets or cakes. It really shows how little people understand about what diabetes actually is.

Unfortunately, people also don’t realise there are many different types of diabetes, including but not limited to- type 1, type 2, gestational, MODY, and LADA.  As soon as they hear the word ‘diabetes’ the food comments start – people ask things like, ‘Can you still eat cakes?’ 

People need to know

"Managing my diabetes day to day is relentless and never goes away. 24/7, it’s constantly on my mind and consumes my entire day, every day with every decision I make on what I will be doing and how it may affect my sugar levels."

However, you can still have a full and fabulous life, it just takes some organising. I am still learning myself on how to manage day to day but for me, every day is different – I have many highs and lows with my blood sugar levels throughout the day which can be because it is difficult to manage my carbs to insulin/pills ratios. 

It can be because of the weather as it affects me if it’s too hot or if I am in a cold environment – it also affects my moods and it’s hard to know if I am just in a bad mood or my sugar levels are low and need something to eat.

The impact of my diabetes is huge, even in everyday life. If I’m exercising, I need to keep an eye on my sugar levels and have extra carbs to hand. I always carry glucose tablets with me in case I have a hypo, and because I travel a lot, I have to make sure I have food supplies with me at all times – just in case. 

I can’t just leave the house with my phone and keys like many people. Carrying hypo treatments is literally a lifesaver, along with my medical card or bracelet for emergencies. People often don’t realise how serious that is, or how something as simple as a workout or even stress can trigger a hypo that needs immediate attention.

Tackling stigma

Firstly, when people first hear that you have diabetes, they shouldn’t automatically assume what type you have.

"I strongly feel that information about diabetes and other health conditions  that are life changing should be taught as part of the school curriculum so that young people understand from an early age, that it’s not people’s fault if they have diabetes and also so they know what they’re friends are experiencing and  how they can possibly help in an emergency."

There needs to be more information at doctors’ surgeries, and we need to get on social media platforms like TikTok for the next generation. We hardly ever see anyone on television talking about diabetes, so it needs to be more visible in the media and mainstream outlets. 

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Reach out for support

If you are affected by the topics highlighted within this story or other stories on our website, you can access support from our helpline team on 0345 122 2399, Mon- Fri, 9am- 6pm, or email helpline@diabetes.org.uk.

You can join our free support forum – to connect with others affected by diabetes (minimum age 13). For more information, see forum FAQs.

For those aged 11-25 living with type 1 diabetes, check out our youth programme Together Type 1 for a supportive community of people who understand what it’s really like juggling the ups and downs of life with diabetes.