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Balance

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Einstein said:
Some interesting comments you make and your member makes.

First, who in the right mind would publish an off the wall demented rant as the one in the current issue?

Second, editorial staff are there to do a job, moderate and present unbiased, objective information on a given subject. Your excuse of using the term 'this doesn't reflect the view or opinions of the publishers et-al' is a useless term, clearly anyone with half a brain cell would realise by your own admission that they comment against the original letter was substantial, you had difficulty publishing anything really in support of these claims - because they are in the main without any foundation.

To then go on an post a reply where the author decrees that we all inject incorrectly, when they have no experience of injecting themselves, and label diabetics as junkies is surely libellous, I certainly for one who has never touched recreational drugs actually find that this generic, but explicit label applied to me by the author could be defamatory, as anyone knowing I am diabetic who reads that letter and seeing it is from a nurse (retired) could think I am a junky, there is enough ignorance about diabetes enough without a supposed supporting organisation deciding such a letter was suitable for publication.

As such, there in I initiate my claim against you, the publishers of this magazine.

Your excuses are, I am afraid rejected by myself.
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well said my friend, well said!!!!!!
 
I'm wondering whether they were alerted to this from the Facebook topic, or if they read it here first, or if there has been such a barrage of complaints that they have been scanning all media to make their replies in? It's hard to tell, as the reply appeared on Facebook at almost the same time as on here.

The one thing I will say in DUK's favour (as opposed to the 'Balance' editorial team) is that they provide financial support for this forum, where the true views of diabetics are discussed - my experience here is that, although we have had one or two contrary views on occasions, they are entirely that - one or two out of a membership of over 1200 people, which is...erm...a tiny percentage!

p.s. I'm not saying that contrary views would get moderated, just that only a tiny number of people seem to hold such views! I think that, had someone tried to post something like the 'nurse' did here, the moderators would have objected very strongly to the terminology and phrasing used.
 
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i for one would haope duk will see sence over this and issue a public and groveling appology to what they have done. i for one would love for the complete list of duk members to turn around and cancel their subscriptions and see what happend then!!!!

the balance editorial team are f***ing idiots
 
Northerner said:
I'm wondering whether they were alerted to this from the Facebook topic, or if they read it here first, or if there has been such a barrage of complaints that they have been scanning all media to make their replies in? It's hard to tell, as the reply appeared on Facebook at almost the same time as on here.

The one thing I will say in DUK's favour (as opposed to the 'Balance' editorial team) is that they provide financial support for this forum, where the true views of diabetics are discussed - my experience here is that, although we have had one or two contrary views on occasions, they are entirely that - one or two out of a membership of over 1200 people, which is...erm...a tiny percentage!

p.s. I'm not saying that contrary views would get moderated, just that only a tiny number of people seem to hold such views!
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Absolutely Northerner,

My comment on facebook was because it was to DUK and not the editorial team of balance who I sure would like to sweep all of this under the rug away from DUK and forget about it.

I also stated the only interface a lot of the DUK members have with DUK is through Balance and its high time the magazine listened to the voice of the membership and published what is wanted and needed, not what they deem some of us will be happy reading.

Balance now has competition, and for less money. A lot of people like the competition 'Sweet', its a different, but good read.

If you get nothing else from DUK their magazine is now beginning to look like an expensive subscription, I recall at close on ?10 a year more than sweet. Plus they giftaid the subscription, so get more from the Inland Revenue.

So, I call on DUK as the publishers of Balance to get their finger out, renew, update, refresh or whatever term you like to use, but join the party and listen to your membership - you never know, you might actually make some friends here once you get to know us!
 
This had been really badly mishandled. Given this post by DUK, I am becoming more and more convinced to leave. Why can't they see the effect they have had on us? I would have thought in the current climate, where charity giving is going down as people can no longer afford it, they would try their best to keep as many people as possible happy. No, instead they choose to publish a letter insulting a large group of their members. Well done, DUK. Great thinking.
 
Lizzie said:
This had been really badly mishandled. Given this post by DUK, I am becoming more and more convinced to leave. Why can't they see the effect they have had on us? I would have thought in the current climate, where charity giving is going down as people can no longer afford it, they would try their best to keep as many people as possible happy. No, instead they choose to publish a letter insulting a large group of their members. Well done, DUK. Great thinking.
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And let's not forget that it is currently Diabetes week! Maybe they should rename it 'Bash the Diabetic Week'!😱
 
Lizzie said:
This had been really badly mishandled. Given this post by DUK, I am becoming more and more convinced to leave. Why can't they see the effect they have had on us? I would have thought in the current climate, where charity giving is going down as people can no longer afford it, they would try their best to keep as many people as possible happy. No, instead they choose to publish a letter insulting a large group of their members. Well done, DUK. Great thinking.
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Hi Lizzie,

This isn't the reply from Diabetes UK, this is the Balance team trying to justify their existence!!
 
Einstein said:
Hi Lizzie,

This isn't the reply from Diabetes UK, this is the Balance team trying to justify their existence!!
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But their post starts 'Hi it's the Balance team here at Diabetes UK' and they sign off as 'The Balance Team, Diabetes UK'. That to me implies they are speaking on behalf of DUK, and Balance is the magazine for adults produced by DUK. I don't really see the difference. And anyway, my point still stands that instead of trying to keep members happy they have insulted us.
 
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Lizzie said:
But their post starts 'Hi it's the Balance team here at Diabetes UK' and they sign off as 'The Balance Team, Diabetes UK'.
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i agree with you there lizzie and i feel the whole thing has put a huge negative on duk as a whole. if the charitable arm of the charity wants to keep its head abover water i would recomend for them to distance themselves from balance and quick
 
mikep1979 said:
i agree with you there lizzie and i feel the whole thing has put a huge negative on duk as a whole. if the charitable arm of the charity wants to keep its head abover water i would recomend for them to distance themselves from balance and quick
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I think we're at a stage where parts of the organisation are covering their ass's.

It's about time DUK themselves stood up and made a statement on the matter and informed their members about what they are going to do about this matter.

As clearly the Balance team can't deliver or rectify what they have delivered, I consider a comment from DUK as being from a trustee of the charity, not someone who can't put their name or position to a reply or take the blame for their decision(s) them self - but has to sign it as all of the Balance team.

There are journalists who are there doing a job writing articles, researching etc, then there is a level of management who is faceless and are so far away from reality as to have to continuously prove it to us.
 
I just read all of this and...

It makes me sad to see that people STILL have issues with injecting. The amount of times I have been called a heroine user for injecting in public is unreal and its really offensive.

I'm glad I don't subscribe to balance or anything, and I certainly won't be ever in the future unless they sort themselves out!
 
Sweet magazine is very easy to read, well laid out and so much cheaper. I much prefer Sweet to Balance. Sweet takes into account type 1 as well as type 2 whereas Balance prefers type 2 diabetes !!!
 
Adrienne said:
Sweet magazine is very easy to read, well laid out and so much cheaper. I much prefer Sweet to Balance. Sweet takes into account type 1 as well as type 2 whereas Balance prefers type 2 diabetes !!!
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Do you have a link or somewhere I can find out more about this 'Sweet' please 🙂
 
I'm a Type 2 and don't have to inject.

Something interesting happened at work the other evening in the canteen.

I was reading my meter instruction manual and the subject of diabetes came out and me and one of the staff who has to inject insulin answered lots of questions about diabetes. He got his pen out to show what he uses and when. He has basal and bolus injections.

I commented on the smell of the insulin but it wasn't negative just that it was a clinical smell.

We were then showed how the new cartridge is put in the pen how he dials his units and asked to be excused as he was then going to go into the loo to do the business.

I asked him if I could see the pen working and if anybody minded seeing him inject and everybody at our table was very curious to see if he would flinch. He said it was almost pain free as long as he misses a blood vessel.

Then he put the needle in and we watched the end of the pen rotate as the units were being delivered.

Well the outcome was nobody had any objections and this chap said that as everyone was OK about him taking insulin in the canteen that in future he would discretely lift the bottom of his shirt up and inject.

I don't personally understand what the nurse who had the letter published in Balance magazine's issue is. It's not as if diabetics have to expose their genitals to inject is it?

I understand everybody has a right to say what they believe, however I also have a right to say that I strongly disagree with her belief.

Isn't it interesting that the Balance team have only made one post on this forum as at 22.21 on Thursday 18 June 2009.
 
steff09 said:
http://www.sweetmagazine.org/
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I have ordered my free trial of the magazine. Even the front cover looks at bit more 'with it' and up to date than Balance. For some reason balance reminds me of People's Friends magazine which my nan used to read. Whereas the cover of sweet looks like Good Housekeeping. Not that a magazine should be judged by its cover, or is that a book?🙂
 
What a great story tez - thank you for that! Thank goodness we don't have to inject in our genitals!😱

You're absolutely right, it's a big fuss over something very simple - I think people are misled by the word 'injection' - it's very far removed from the intra-muscular or vein injection that seems to worry some people. And great news that your colleague now feels comfortable injecting amongst others!

The 'Balance' team hung around for a little while to read the responses, but didn't respond further themselves - maybe tomorrow?
 
Lorraine said:
I have ordered my free trial of the magazine. Even the front cover looks at bit more 'with it' and up to date than Balance. For some reason balance reminds me of People's Friends magazine which my nan used to read. Whereas the cover of sweet looks like Good Housekeeping. Not that a magazine should be judged by its cover, or is that a book?🙂
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hope its a good read
 
brightontez said:
I'm a Type 2 and don't have to inject.

Something interesting happened at work the other evening in the canteen.



I commented on the smell of the insulin but it wasn't negative just that it was a clinical smell.
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Sorry to digress, but: that is really wierd - i was injecting my after lunch dose in the kitchen when my son, who was with me said, "cor you really smell" (I know, wonderful aren't they!). I asked what of? He said "it's the insulin". He couldn't realy describe the smell but had obviously noticed it. (Probably where I squirt the 2 units off before injecting.) Strange - I occassionally get a whiff, but on the whole don't notice it any more. Has anyone ese noticed the smell?

(By the way Tez, I got the other half a silver Seagulls chain and pendant for our anniversay tomorrow! Ordered it yeserday - came today!)
 
Thanks everyone for the link to sweet magazine.

I agree with all of you guys/gals.
I think reporters and journalism sometimes just goes too far, "showing both sides of the story" what a load of boulder dash, worse thing is we all here feel very passionately about this subject as it affect us so. I doubt the balance team will be back in a hurry!
 
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