Job Help

[ajd96]

Hi, this is my first time on here! I have been diagnosed for 2 and a half years now with type 1 and I'm still trying to get the hang of it. I found out when I was about to start Uni at 18 and since have been moving all over the place, so never really got to grips with the whole diabetic thing.

Anyway i'm 21 now and will be graduating in summer and it's the first time it occurred to me that there are certain jobs I can't do. As far as i've seen, armed forces and front line services such as paramedics, are out of bounds.

I wan't to work In disaster response and development and am looking at doing my masters in this before going into the field. However, as the field work is similar to armed forces in certain ways and the nature of the jobs, I was wondering if anyone knew if there were any restrictions into going into this field.

Thanks!!!

 

[Ljc]

Hi ajd96 Welcome.
Others here will be able to help with your query so please check back here. You’ll be supprised at what some of us do.
If your in the uk you could contact our helpline +443451232399

 

[Ralph-YK]

our helpline

Who would "our helpline" be?

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hello @ajd96 and welcome to the forum.
You can be a paramedic if you so wish. How about a detour and working in A&E obviously you would need to look at courses etc to do this.

Very good luck to you in your chosen path.

 

[Northerner]

Who would "our helpline" be?

Diabetes UK Helpline service 🙂

Hi @ajd96, welcome to the forum 🙂 You can be a firefighter these days and be a commercial airline pilot, so I can't see why you couldn't be a paramedic 🙂 As suggested, the Helpline may be able to direct you to appropriate resources so you know exactly what your options are 🙂 People with Type 1 can achieve astonishing things these days - have a read of Roddy Riddle's website 🙂 Good luck! 🙂

 

[Copepod]

Many job restrictions are due to driving licence restrictions. Regulations are very strict in UK for driving minibuses, public service vehicles, vans, HGVs etc, but less strict in some other countries.
I was a TA medic before my diagnosis and have not been allowed to rejoin. I have also been prevented from SCUBA diving as a professional (pretty serious for a marine biologist), paid work in Antarctica (although have been a volunteer science leader on a youth expedition including South Georgia).
These days, it's being over 50 that limits me.
Please remember that rules can be eased and keeping yourself as fit and active as possible helps lessen chance of complications. Gaining other unusual skills also helps. I'm currently learning Arabic for trekking in Jordan, and have used Spanish to work on development projects and expeditions in Chile, Costa Rica and Mexico, some after diagnosis.
There are often ways round blocks, but I would be lying if I said type 1 diabetes never stopped me doing anything I wanted.

 

[trophywench]

Some aspects of disaster recovery are exceptionally dangerous - met a Belgian whilst on holiday in France a few years ago. They still trained and sent people to international disasters even though they have little or no Armed Forces. Bernard was a First Response dog handler - ie the chap with the dog that sniffs out people and bodies in newly collapsed buildings. He and the dogs all had to be mega fit, capable of parachuting and working for very very long hours without either food or sleep should it be necessary. The dog always took priority anyway - not him.

He told us the EU or anyone else might well have employment and H&S laws - but they didn't - couldn't! - apply to his job.

No wonder he chain smoked ......

 

[ajd96]

Thanks everyone! It's very encouraging hearing all this!

 

[Lisa66]

Morning ajd96 and welcome.

So many jobs you can still do in the fields you want.

My post is related to the paramedic suggestions made...and I really don't want to appear negative!

My sister is a paramedic and has been for many years. I had this very conversation with her a while ago. She is very pro everyone getting the same job opportunities, but felt this career would be quite challenging for someone with diabetes. I appreciate different ambulance services have different shifts, however she works 10 and 12 hr shifts, which given the nature of the job can often over run by an hour or so (called out just before end of 2am finish, take patient to hospital 20miles away, not home til 3.30) and rarely does the same shift two days in a row, which can make catching up on sleep and general life tricky...she is constantly tired. She doesn't always have partner with her on the ambulance and is often in the ambulance car, on stand by somewhere...this can often be quite remote. Stress is obviously a factor in this job as is running up the stairs of a block of flats when the lift isn't working! I could go on....don't worry I won't🙂 ...and of course there are times when it's very quiet and it's just sitting around for a shift. Oh and on a busy shift there may not be time for a break for many hours!

I imagine trying to do tests to make sure you are at the right level to drive and keeping blood sugars steady would be very challenging.

My concern isn't that you can't or wouldn't be allowed to do a job, any job, more how that job, whatever it is, would affect your control and your health. I guess also how your health would affect you doing your chosen job. None of us, like being told we can't do something, however balancing your dream job against your health, is boring and frustrating but also important.

Apologies for rambling and sounding negative.

21 what a great age! So many exciting opportunities out there for you, good luck with getting the one you want!🙂

 

[Cookiemonster2017]

I know a type one diabetic who was either an ambulance or fire service driver, can't quite remember which 🙂