• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

Any advantages to being a diabetic?

Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
A

Alloneword

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
May sound like a stupid question but are there any advantages to being a diabetic?

I know we get free eye tests, but when it comes to getting the lenses do we get more funds for them then say someone on JSA, I get free prescriptions due to other issues, but just wondering if there were any ++'s to being lumbered with this condition.


All1
 
Better diet? diabetes was definetly a wake up call for me to start eating more healthy.

Also I would never of found this forum without my diabetes so for that im greatful
 
Last edited:
Being more aware of the effect things have on your body and subsequently taking steps to become healthier...........
 
I have met some great people that I wouldn't have without it, and also learned many good and usefull things that should keep me healthy.
 
And advantages to diabetes?

And advantages to diabetes?
This support group - friendly
Free prescription?s ? better than paying for a pre prescription card for my asthma
Health awareness ? better than before
The dogs like the extra walk ? get me out in the fresh air and rain!!
 
Free prescriptions --- I'll have a quick moan, I have been asthmatic for most of my adult life, and had to pay fro prescriptions.. Now I am retired I have free prescriptions... Oh yes and free prescriptions because of diabetes !!!!
I used ot use the prepayment certificates , I used to get the 3 monthly ones and get a repeat just before it ran out , lasting for about a month. Then I would buy the next one . I saved about 3 months payment a year quite legally ... It did help !!!

🙂
 
Apart from your free eye test and excempt certificate no other real benefit.. You still have to pay for your glasses and dentist fee's unless you qualify for an exception under one of the qualifying benefits..

But apparently you do get a rather good deal when it comes to a private pension
 
best benifits this forum the friends i have made on it both virtual and those i have meet in real life at meets
 
After 25 years of my GP not having much of a clue about my ME, he is now overly enthusiastic about my diabetes, as he can impress with his knowledge.

At least I think thats an advantage.🙂
 
as a teenager it has made me more wary of alcohol, drugs etc.
as i know the affects as a diabetic they can have on my body.
i would say it has made me more wise and sensible.
god knows what i would be like without it aha.
 
VAT relief on some footwear items
Better awareness of health issues
free flu jabs (ok this is a bit iffy)
free eye tests
free prescriptions
improved diet
more appreciation of treats
more lee way with sick leave if we are unlucky enough to need it
 
Good question and great thread!!

Nothing to add but just want to show my appreciation for the question!

maybe add that some people seem to get foot care, dietician advice and a feeling of being looked after. Sigh.
 
Ellie Jones said:
Apart from your free eye test and excempt certificate no other real benefit.. You still have to pay for your glasses and dentist fee's unless you qualify for an exception under one of the qualifying benefits..

But apparently you do get a rather good deal when it comes to a private pension
Click to expand...

hey Ellie, what's the deal with a private pension? Or have I mis-read?
 
The pension advantage comes when buying an annuity - statistics suggest that people with diabetes have restricted lifespans, so company pays more.
 
Copepod said:
The pension advantage comes when buying an annuity - statistics suggest that people with diabetes have restricted lifespans, so company pays more.
Click to expand...

ah thanks. So it doesn't come just from making 'normal' contributions etc. I don't really know much about annuity!
 
Being first on theatre lists for operations..
 
Better mental arithmetic! Maybe mostly for type 1, but with all the carb counting, ratios and correction dose calculations, it must keep the grey matter working!
P.S. love the bolus wizard on pump. Now only have to work out the carbs!
 
Without my diagnosis, I wouldn't have lost weight and got interested in my health, built my confidence and started studying complementary therapies, now I've still a long way to go, but I'm a qualified massage therapist since the beginning of July (all be it an unemployed one, who's gone back into studying for a further qualification!).

However, I fell off the healthy wagon a couple of months back, so need to get back on it and lose some more weight (I'm a size 22 so a long long way to go yet!).

Cynical me would say there are no real benefits, diabetes sucks. But then I do feel I've changed a lot and am much more aware of what I'm putting into my body....all be it when I'm still doing it! 😱
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top