D-Blog Week Day #5: What They Should Know

Today's prompt:

Today let’s borrow a topic from a #dsma chat held last September. The tweet asked “What is one thing you would tell someone that doesn’t have diabetes about living with diabetes?”. Let’s do a little advocating and post what we wish people knew about diabetes. Have more than one thing you wish people knew? Go ahead and tell us everything.

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Yes, I can eat that. I just need to do the appropriate amount of insulin to cover it.

No, I don't care about your Great Aunt Enid who died from diabetes. Or your friend who had an amputation. Or your coworker who had a heart attack because of the 'beetus. I'm not any one of those people.

I "don't look fat enough" to have diabetes? I "look really healthy for someone with diabetes"? You're rude and misinformed.

Just because I need insulin does not mean my diabetes is "the bad kind." All the kinds are bad kinds because it's a disease not a prize, and insulin is just one of the methods of treatment (and the only one for Type 1).

If I choose to drink diet soda or use sweetener, that is my decision. Judge not lest ye be judged.

Sorry, that's not a beeper - those went out of style in the 90s. That's my insulin pump.

My low candy is not a treat for you. It is for hypoglycemia emergencies only.

I carry a purse so I can lug around all of my disease equipment, not your wallet/keys/sunglasses.

Yes, I know I create a lot of medical waste. My other option is dying, and I'm not into that kind of population control.

I'm sorry about the noise. My Dexcom is loud, but it's for a good reason. I need to know about the alarms.

Sigh. YES, I've seen Steel Magnolias. YES, I had a baby. NO, it is not surprising I survived.

All the above is to say this: Rather than assuming you know something about me or my disease, please just ask. I will be delighted to share my knowledge and experience with you, and I will consider myself lucky to be advocating for me and my tribe.