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Type A - that's a new one

When I was diagnosed in 1995 I don’t remember any references to Type 1 or 2 - it was IDD (Insulin Dependent Diabetes or NIDD (Non etc etc) Which was pretty nonsensical for a Type 2 on insulin.
 
After reading through some of the lack of knowledge and ill informed comments you have been subjected to, or overheard, I have paraphrased a certain film.
The good, the bad (diabetes) and the ignorant.(other people)
 
Bruce Stephens said:
Might just be a slip. I could imagine anyone who didn't deal regularly with diabetes (or even some who did) making the same slip. It's presumably just chance that it's called Type 1 and Type 2 rather than Type A and Type B.
Click to expand...

It's as simple as that, slip of the tongue by saying type A instead of type 1, it's easy mistake to make as you really know nothing of any health condition unless you live with one or have a friend or relation who does.
 
I was chatting to someone on a course, and he nearly got 10/10 for the 10 things not to say to someone with diabetes. I started laughing when he got to 8/10 and explained why. He found me the next day and said that he thought he was in danger of a full house had we continued talking.

This is one version. There are others.

  1. 1. "You don't look like you have diabetes."
    Diabetes is an invisible illness. This comment trivializes their condition and implies it's not serious.

  2. 2. "Should you be eating that?"
    People with diabetes are usually very aware of their food choices and how they affect their blood sugar. Unless they've specifically asked for your input, don't question their food choices.

  3. 3. "My [relative/friend] has diabetes and they [do this/can't do that]."
    Diabetes affects everyone differently. What works for one person might not work for another.

  4. 4. "It could be worse."
    This minimizes the impact of living with diabetes and can be insensitive.

  5. 5. "You're doing pretty good for a diabetic."
    Don't pass judgment on how someone is managing their diabetes. Focus on their efforts and accomplishments.

  6. 6. "You're just not trying hard enough."
    Managing diabetes is complex and requires ongoing effort. Don't assume someone isn't trying their best.

  7. 7. "Have you tried [insert random, often unproven, cure]?"
    Don't offer unproven or anecdotal "cures." Diabetes management is best left to medical professionals.

  8. 8. "You're so lucky you can eat [insert specific food]!"
    People with diabetes have to carefully manage their food intake, and comments like this can be insensitive and hurtful.

  9. 9. "I didn't know you were diabetic."
    While it's their choice to disclose their condition, this comment can imply that diabetes is something to be ashamed of.

  10. 10. "You're going to get [diabetes complication] if you don't [do this]."
    This is fear-mongering and can be very distressing for someone already managing a chronic illness.
 
To be honest before I was diagnosed, I didn’t know there was more than one type. No one in my family have had it, my dog did and I had to inject her hated injecting her but got used to it. I get what are you allowed to eat, or you can’t eat that, your not fat why have you got diabetes. I am educating my work mates, but one wanted to know where my pen was so he could inject me if I had a hypo, a nearly chocked
 
Good conversation and I have come across many cases where people are quite happy to engage in conversations and even offer advice when it is patently obvious they do not understand the subject and often falsely extrapolate from one persons experience/ situation to another’s.
I am lucky in that I work in an environment where everyone understands diabetes and differences between T1 and 2 so I never have to explain my situation and I am upfront about it.
When folk in other settings make comments I may converse or simply stay quiet depending on whether I feel getting involved will be a productive exercise or not.
 
In my old job, shortly after diagnosis I was told "I'm not surprised you're diabetic" (I used to have a large jar of sweets on my desk for everyone in the office to share - I very nearly inserted it somewhere very unpleasant for him but managed to restrain myself and just emptied the contents of the jar all over his desk)
 
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