• 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

Open letter to the media about the realities of diabetes

Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
That may be the case, and I believe you, but DUK must be pushed to contradict them.
 
There have quite a few media stories with sensationalist headlines and innacuracies in the story that contain a quote from a DUK spokesperson refuting the gist of the story and talking down the drama without making a jot of difference to the journo involved.

They still write the same drivel but include the DUK official line as if it was a contractual obligation, rather than a source of some expertise.

I'm on the cynical side of the fence when it comes to the press and what the public want to read about.

Rob
 
Robster65 said:
I'm on the cynical side of the fence when it comes to the press and what the public want to read about.

Rob
Click to expand...

If you're looking for cynical, you might like ShootUp's new proforma for reporting most press coverage about diabetes - http://www.shootuporputup.co.uk/2011/10/diabetes-reporting-in-newspapers/

On a more serious note, I think we have to keep plugging away, rebutting each and every inaccuracy is far more newsworthy than trying to do a general public awareness piece. The impact of poor reporting is also newsworthy - look at the phone hacking scandal, it's the stories of the impact it had on the victim's lives that really hit the headlines. DUK can rebut to a certain point, but if they have evidence of how poor reporting impacts people with diabetes, they have a stronger, more interesting story to go back with.
 
So are we suggesting that every time there is an inaccurate report on TV or in the newspapers that a letter should be sent to DUK telling them how it is affecting diabetics, all groups, and that we want a firm reply dispelling the inaccuracies? The trouble here is that most newspapers will only allow it in the comments and it gets lost.

As this thread gets longer, I am wondering if it is worth printing it off and sending it to DUK or asking Joe Freeman to put some of his viewpoints in the thread? DUK is supposed to be an organization that helps diabetics so if we all feel confused and upset by media portrayal then they should be helping us.

A united front is what is needed so the more replies here then the more clout surely?
 
I think part of DUKs difficulty is that even when their press releases/guidance notes are clear and properly worded the journos still print whatever they want to sell the angle of story that they have decided is the most newsworthy.
 
I think its a good idea to ask Joe at DUK about how we can help. DUK don't have control over what the media print, but their PR team should be able to offer some insight on how we can effectively help them to rebut poor reporting.

My point re talking about individual impact was that few people are interested in "diabetics" as a faceless group of people and therefore they're not that newsworthy. A story about an individual who has been personally impacted is much more interesting - hence the need to provide information on what impact a story has on me, rather than diabetics in general. DUK can't do that on their own, they need the evidence from people like us to show what the local impact is. It's the same for every story - child A can't get a pump which means they can't do x, y, z; person B isn't able to get the test strips they need to live healthily with diabetes etc. It brings it to life for people and I'd imagine that's something this community could help with.
 
ok here's my two-pence-worth!

EDUCATION TO THE PUBLIC:
- that T1, T2, T1.5 are DIFFERENT. They might have the same name but they are VERY VERY different. This would solve so many of our daily struggles. Every time D is spoken about, it should be very, very clear which type of diabetics are being spoken about. If there was only 1 thing that came out of it, this would be the one.
- Get people to ignore the stereotypes...they are very misleading & get misunderstood
- every diabetic is different
- stop quoting stupid numbers about how much we cost the NHS. It is not helpful & no-one 'gets' it on purpose!
- T1s carb-counting can eat what they want!!!!! so stop telling us we shouldn't be eating that!

EDUCATION FOR US
- at DX, an online area with links to everything you can think of that would be helpful. DUK, sites like this, things you should and shouldn't be doing, changes to treatment etc
- regular meetings with other diabetics with DX, and also along the journey, whether that be on a course or something else, people need to speak to other people who get what they are going through...
- re-education - you all know my problems I've had with not knowing lots of things that had changed and what I should/shouldn't have been doing after 19 years....1 annual check up that gave me no info is NOT helpful to me managing my diabetes
- if you put someone on insulin, put them on a carb-counting course!!!!!! give people the tools they need to manage their diabetes the best that they possibly can. If a T2 goes on tablets etc and needs to be making changes to their diet, exercise and lifestyle, give them some friggin help!

OOoooo I'm all angry now!! I'm sure I'll think of some more, but I'd better stop now!!
 
AlisonF said:
I think its a good idea to ask Joe at DUK about how we can help. DUK don't have control over what the media print, but their PR team should be able to offer some insight on how we can effectively help them to rebut poor reporting.

My point re talking about individual impact was that few people are interested in "diabetics" as a faceless group of people and therefore they're not that newsworthy. A story about an individual who has been personally impacted is much more interesting - hence the need to provide information on what impact a story has on me, rather than diabetics in general. DUK can't do that on their own, they need the evidence from people like us to show what the local impact is. It's the same for every story - child A can't get a pump which means they can't do x, y, z; person B isn't able to get the test strips they need to live healthily with diabetes etc. It brings it to life for people and I'd imagine that's something this community could help with.
Click to expand...

After seeing the response to the new DUK newsletter, is it such a good idea to ask DUK to become involved??
 
Cherrypie , wow what a great idea we need to put it more , or how about that young girl on x factor to etc
 
I would emphasise the likes of Steve Redgrave, Danny McGrain and Garry Mabbutt being top class sportsmen despite having type 2 as evidence that Type 2s aren't all linked to obesity.
 
Can we have some with T1 too? maybe between them all they could explain to everyone the differences as well!! maybe people would listen to them... surely they must suffer the same misconceptions as we do?
 
Ikey the tinker said:
I would emphasise the likes of Steve Redgrave, Danny McGrain and Garry Mabbutt being top class sportsmen despite having type 2 as evidence that Type 2s aren't all linked to obesity.
Click to expand...

Doesn't Steve Redgrave have Type 1? - Can't find any quotes from him that mention which type but in the back of my mind I thought he was T1 and I have found mention of him using a pump which I dont remember hearing of T2's doing?

Can't find any other prominent T1's in this country?
 
Not enough specialist care for those who want it
Not enough support for those who need it

Both true in my area as Greenwich healthcare trust has a poor reputation diabetics.
 
Northerner said:
cherrypie suggested we put together a letter to send to all the various media organisations who consistently misreport things. I think we should get our heads together and decide the main points of what needs saying and try to think of some way of making it 'newsworthy' so they might even feel like publishing it! 🙂

Steff's thread about the incorrect comments/assumptions is a good start, so we can use that and this for ideas! 🙂
Click to expand...

That would be a good idea. I approve, especially when reading reports like this.

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/288828/Beat-diabetes-with-40-second-workouts-

What I read in that report I found offensive. Long before I was diagnosed I exercised by walking at least two miles at least twice a week. My work involved pushing, shoving and lifting heavy boxes and sacks. So with all that, WHY AM I DIABETIC? Oh hang on, my father and grandmother were both Diabetic.
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top