Blanket Term "Diabetes" + Shout-Out To My Mum

So I've noticed lately that along with the misconceptions that people have about type 1 diabetes, I often hear alot of people just using the blanket term diabetes in circumstances where they should really be referring to the specific types. A perfect example of this is a couple weeks ago on CBC radio. There was this naturopath doctor talking all about different steps you can take to "prevent diabetes". Now obviously type 1 diabetes in not preventable and this sort of general term leads people to the conclusion that all diabetes is the same. It doesn't help to correct the misconceptions that people already have about T1D. People automatically assume nowadays that it was because I had too much sugar or that I just sat around lazily all day (this isn't necessarily the case for why people get type 2 either). Another problem is that type 1 only comprises 10% of the diabetic population meaning that people just aren't as knowledgeable about the condition. I've met some people who are completely ignorant about the fact that there is more than one kind of diabetes in the first place. I really feel like there needs to be more education out there about type 1 diabetes so that we don't get lost in the shuffle of type 2. Everyone needs to know more about this condition because it is a serious problem.

Anyway, back to the story. This lady just continued on about how you can prevent and reverse diabetes and finally my mum had just gotten sick of it. She phoned into the CBC when they asked for questions, and no word of a lie, she told this woman off.......on air. I believe she said something along these lines,

"You cannot just use the term diabetes like that. There are two different kinds of diabetes and type 1 is not preventable. I have a newly diagnosed type 1 daughter and there was nothing we could have done to stop her from getting this disease. You have to specify between the two because they are so different. You can't just generalize it like that."

Go mum!

p.s The photo above is also not to stereotype type 2 diabetics either. I know there are type 2's that are of perfectly normal weight range. I just thought the photo was funny.

I thought this pitcture here was a great and simple way to explain type 1 vs. type 2.

Misconceptions and Things People Say That Annoy Me!!

After only having Type 1 for less than a month, I am already completely sick and tired of all the misconceptions people have about juvenile diabetes. And I'm actually not annoyed super easily. I can respect that people may not know everything about my condition, I also think that we need to be educating the general public a lot more than we are. Some of these misconceptions are as follows...

1.) "Were you addicted to sugar before you were diagnosed?"
     -_- No. Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease. Meaning......a) it is not preventable. There was nothing I could have done to prevent it. It's in my genetics. b.) My immune system turned on my pancreas and attacked the beta cells which produce insulin. c.) It has nothing to do with my diet or because I'm obese (which I am not).


2.) "That's the kind you're born with right?"
          Again, no. Although some people are diagnosed with Type 1 at a very young age, very few people are born with it. Actually I don't even know if that's possible. I was diagnosed a month before my 17th birthday. Which means there is a very significant part of my life where I did not have diabetes.


3.) "Type 1's take insulin and Type 2's don't."
          Nope. Type 1's have to take insulin to live. Type 2's can sometimes control their condition with diet and exercise but some also need to take insulin as well.


4.) "My uncle has diabetes. He was on insulin for awhile but the doctor said he could go off of it. You could probably do that too one day."
          *Facepalm. He is Type 2. If I went off insulin I would die.


5.) "Are you supposed to be eating that?" (I find this one comes from my teachers when they see me walking around with cookies)
           YES I CAN BLOODY WELL EAT THIS! Honestly. This one annoys me the most. I think I know how to handle my own diabetes thanks. I am in fact the one living with it. Not you so mind your own business. I can eat whatever I bloody well want to. I just have to maintain portion control and count the carbs.


6.) "I'm scared to drive in a car with you. You're diabetic, we might crash." (Coming from my friends)
           Get real. I have excellent control of my diabetes. And to be honest, I am a much better driver than all of you anyway.


7.) "SHE'S STABBING HERSELF!!!" (In class while I'm trying to discreetly check my BG)
          Okay this one's not a misconception it's just annoying.


8.) "OH MY GOD CAN I DO IT TO YOU!?!?" (In the bathroom while trying to give myself and insulin injection)
          No you can't do it!


9.) "Do you like giving yourself needles?"
         Why yes I do. I love it. In fact I really wish I could give myself more! (**sense the sarcasm?)


10.) "I'm so glad I don't have diabetes."
           Well thank-you for making me feel so much better about myself. -_-