Listing the pet peeves of someone living with diabetes
As a Registered Dietitian I have enough pet peeves regarding nutrition to fill a thousand pages.
But since Marianne and Jay won’t give me that kind of space, and because it is National Diabetes Month, I will only discuss the pet peeves I share with other diabetics who live with the illness on a day-to-day basis.
Personally, I group ignorance and unsolicited advice together. It seems that those with the least knowledge about diabetes are always the ones to ask such questions as: “Are you supposed to eat that?” or “I thought diabetics weren’t supposed to eat sugar?” or “How about a piece of fruit instead of that chocolate cake?”
My favorite was the patient who told me his MD said he shouldn’t eat baby carrots, fruit, carbohydrates or milk.
The sad part was that as a RD and veteran Type 1 Diabetic I had to bring up every resource I could find to prove the MD wrong. I work with all kinds of medical professionals and still hear, “should you be eating that?”
People, there is NO reason we cannot enjoy a piece of birthday cake or a slice of bread or an occasional alcoholic beverage.
I know that much of what people say is out of concern, but if you don’t have the latest and greatest factual medical information, I bet the person with diabetes does.
If a doctor is telling you that “sugar is poison,” please refer to the above.
Another pet peeve is listening to the horror stories about someone’s friend’s cousin’s aunt who is a double amputee on kidney dialysis.
Yes, bad things can happen to the diabetic who doesn’t take care of themselves, but those kind of stories DO NOT help us.
And to our loved ones, do not over-worry. We appreciate your thoughts and love you for it, but don’t smother us.
I was 13 when I was diagnosed and my Mother promptly (and wisely) told me they would help me, but it was MY disease that I was going to have to live with.
Another problem is the lack of consideration from co-workers or those at home who automatically conclude it’s your low blood sugar that makes you disagreeable.
OK, I may give you that… when blood sugars are low wecan get a tad cranky.
But then again, perhaps we’re cranky because those people said something stupid to tick us off!
Having a low blood sugar and feeling awful, being late for work or getting fired because of it are also pet peeves.
Depending on the position you hold, you cannot be fired for having diabetes.
If it happens report it to the American Diabetes Association.
Hearing people say, upon being told someone has diabetes and is on an insulin pump, that they have “the bad kind” is my BIGGEST pet peeve. There is NO good diabetes.
If you have no clue how the human body works, take an anatomy and physiology class. The body is such an amazingly complex machine—there are millions of processes going on every second and everyone’s acts differently.
One person with diabetes may do everything “right” and still have poor control and another may do everything “wrong” and have fabulous numbers.
A person’s blood sugars, lipid levels, etc. should NEVER define that person.
No doubt there are many other pet peeves that people could share.
So, how do we deal with them? Start by educating your family and friends.
Let them know what kind of support you need—whether you need help planning meals and keeping track of your blood glucose or if you just want a little encouragement and understanding.
Find a support group led by professionals or start one of your own.
Connect with others on a reliable online message board monitored by a diabetes professional.
If you have suffered discrimination, the American Diabetes Association offers educational and legal resources on the ADA website that can help you protect your right to fair and equal treatment.
Most of all, my greatest wish is that you just keep loving those of us who live daily with a chronic disease. It’s not easy.
I just “celebrated” my 30th year with diabetes. I had cake, so there!
