How do you feel about language?

[trophywench]

Ah well, in my case it was very apt - so I didn't mind but there again - this is the same receptionist that's been there for at least 10 years so she absolutely knew it was 'new', if she had been a stranger to me I would have most likely thought 'None of your business!'

 

[SadhbhFiadh]

I have entirely the opposite problem. Go to the diabetes clinic in a wheelchair and everyone looks at your feet. I feel like getting a T-shirt made saying “It’s not the bloody diabetes”.

You know, I went in for a carpel tunnel repair once, and when I went into the little room for the anesthesia guy to talk to me, he looked at me funny. So he moved a chair, I parked my chair, and after checking my name &c, he asked me what the wheelchair was for. Now, I don't know how the charts and notes are set up, but surely paraplegic would rise to the top as a label?

S.

 

[Dave W]

"I have diabetes"
"Yes, I don't have to be overweight to have it."
"Yes I could do with putting on a few pounds weight, but a plate of chips or baked potato won't do it and besides I'd rather hang on to my eyesight and feet. Thanks for your concern, I know it's well meant.

 

[Amberzak]

You know, I went in for a carpel tunnel repair once, and when I went into the little room for the anesthesia guy to talk to me, he looked at me funny. So he moved a chair, I parked my chair, and after checking my name &c, he asked me what the wheelchair was for. Now, I don't know how the charts and notes are set up, but surely paraplegic would rise to the top as a label?

S.

My brother had muscular dystrophy so was wheelchair bound. My cousin thought it funny once to play a joke and inform the police that he was a drug smuggler and that he used his wheelchair to smuggle them in so they stopped us in the van. The police wouldn’t believe Jamie couldn’t walk and kept trying to make him stand.

I suppose it was funny after the fact. (My cousin is a right practical joker).

 

[mikeyB]

Blimey Amberzak. Your brother had MD, you’ve got ED. You must be on your knees every night thanking god for the genes of your parents.

 

[grainger]

I don’t get offended by terms.

Most people who don’t know someone who has diabetes have no idea about how it all works so don’t see any reason to get stressed about how it is defined.

Educate where you can, but let’s be realistic - we know about diabetes because we have it or someone close to us does. I know about colitis because my brother had it. I know about dents disease because both my brothers have/had it and my mums a carrier (but most gps let alone anyone else have no idea what it is). Ask me about cystic fibrosis or epilepsy or one of the other millions of conditions people are affected by and I’m sure I’d come across really uneducated and without a clue and likely to say something slightly annoying to them.

Yes there are things that grate - being told I shouldn’t eat something because it’s sugary, or that they wouldn’t be able to inject like I do - but these are just opportunities to either let it brush off you or to educate.

 

[SadhbhFiadh]

I don’t get offended by terms.

Most people who don’t know someone who has diabetes have no idea about how it all works so don’t see any reason to get stressed about how it is defined.

Educate where you can, but let’s be realistic - we know about diabetes because we have it or someone close to us does. I know about colitis because my brother had it. I know about dents disease because both my brothers have/had it and my mums a carrier (but most gps let alone anyone else have no idea what it is). Ask me about cystic fibrosis or epilepsy or one of the other millions of conditions people are affected by and I’m sure I’d come across really uneducated and without a clue and likely to say something slightly annoying to them.

Yes there are things that grate - being told I shouldn’t eat something because it’s sugary, or that they wouldn’t be able to inject like I do - but these are just opportunities to either let it brush off you or to educate.

Yes, you are absolutely right.
You are far more gracious than I.
Well said. So I will take that on board.
S.

 

[trophywench]

Life's far too short to be offended by terminology - even if you think I'm old fat and am the author of my own misfortune (well two out of three ain't bad! - LOL)

Life's far too short to waste time or effort on 'being offended' folks!

 

[khskel]

Couldn't give a damn. I tell people I've got an insulin habit.

 

[Vince_UK]

Couldn't give a damn. I tell people I've got an insulin habit.

That I like 🙂

 

[Carolg]

I lost a lot of weight before and at diagnosis,and when I went back to work parents etc asked if I was ok, as also I had been off sick. I felt It was crossing a professional line imo to discuss my physicals, but started saying, as people jumped to worse conclusion. Now everyone knows I have become a skinny Minnie (sorry any minnie’s Out there)