The extra details to keep on top of
I’ve never let diabetes stop me from competing in marathons and travelling the world…the fact that I’ve done neither of these things is solely due to my self-confessed laziness. Having said that, diabetes is always a bit of an obstacle. Having had it for so long, I do have to really think about how people not living with diabetes experience things to realise it.
There’s the pat down at security. There’s having to take a bag to concerts and football matches, which means bag checks instead of walking straight in. And then there’s the absolute panic of realising you don’t have a hypo snack on you. It all builds up. When I see people not living with the condition wandering around with just their phone and wallet, I do feel jealous at times.
It is what it is though, and it could be a lot worse. I could have been born in 1882 instead of 1982 and things would have looked very differently for me. So, I count my blessings and make sure I have good friends who are happy to carry my bag for me if I do a pouty face while on a day out.
Facing stigma in all aspects of life
Unfortunately, stigma around diabetes has followed me over the years and I’ve been on the receiving end of some really shocking ‘hot takes’ about my diabetes – from strangers, co-workers and sometimes even family members…
- “It’s all your own fault, if you’d just been healthier.” (Not how it works!)
- “You’re diabetic? You’ve done well to lose all the weight!” (Gee, thanks)
- “Shouldn’t you be trying to wean yourself off insulin?” (Again, not how it works!)
- “I wish I could have a chocolate bar before PE – you’re so lucky!” (I’d happily trade places!)
- [While injecting in a staff room] “Do you have to do that here?” (No, but it’s such an amazing conversation starter)
- [While injecting in McDonalds] “Disgusting. I have my kid here with me…you junkies make me sick.” (Lady, I’m ten!)
There are honestly about a thousand more if I stopped to think about it – it’s day in, day out. The problem seems to be that people know nothing about diabetes but think they know everything about diabetes.
"I’d love it if people would just trust the people that live with this condition day in, day out. We know what we’re dealing with, and it’d be lovely if we could take some of the burden off by being able to talk to people about what we’re going through without judgements or reference to the latest ‘miracle’ fad."