So you hear over and over again how diabetes can be controlled through diet and exercise but no where in those commericals do they mention that that is for type 2 diabetes instead they just say diabetes. now don't get me wrong I know they are trying to help but without properly educating the public only has small bits of info to go off of. Today I was in the docs office for a nasty infusion site infection uggh!! and I walk to a chair and this lady is like whats that? I said oh that is my insulin pump. she said but your not fat (God Bless her ) and you don't look like someone with diabetes your far too young and that is when I sat down and explained the different types of diabetes and she got a new understanding. I asked her though how she got her info on diabetes? she said some tv talk show. I also realized how to go about the talk without getting mad or irate since this happens more often it seems. It reminded me of the story of my DX with type 1 diabetes my Dad is a ER doc for the Army and was on deployment and my mom was talking to my dad and said I had to go to the bathroom so many times since I have been drinking so much more Juice which she thought was due too my active lifestyle with soccer and basketball and what not. they she mentioned I was really thinning out and needed new jeans so it clicked in my dads head and he told my mom to make me a doc appt to get a check up so she did and when we got there they stuck my finger and the meter they had said HI I giggled I said look mom the meter says HI and then I had lost like 15 lbs and the doc sent us to the ER where the put me in an ambulance and sent me to the Children's hospital where we were told I had type 1 diabetes. my blood sugar was sick high over 900 and I didn't understand but knew something was wrong because mom was on the phone with dad and she asked him if I was going to be okay and did she feed me the wrong food or what and that is the first time I learned how to explain the difference between t1 and t2. I wish we had a better way to let others know the difference or even better that the press or whoever would quite putting a bad light on diabetes. I did get to help some officers that came by the fire station last week learn to look for signs of diabetes in a person who may appear drunk while driving. I took them out to my car and showed them the car of one messy diabetic lol I showed them the used test strips my medic alert tattoo um my medic alert card with my insurance papers umm lancets glucose tabs umm ohh and the humalog pen needles lol they also got to check out a video of 1happydiabetic on what it feels like to have a low blood sugar ( thank you bill!! ) and they left pretty informed. it was a good day I would say. ummm school is biting me on the behind I am on spring break but when it starts up again I am going at it with full force!

Very Cool Post.  This could be 5 or 6 seperate posts!

It made me think of a few things.  First, that stinks what happened to you with the infusion set.  I want to make that clear, I HATE when that crazy stuff happens. 

I am on you side with the Type 1 Diabetes vs Type 2 Diabetes issue.  I wish people knew the difference better.  But you know what, in the end... I will take heat for type 2 and educate people at the same time.  I feel bad for the stereotypes that type 2 people have.  I do.  Diabetes isn't this dirty word.

Having a low blood sugar and "acting drunk" to a non-diabetic would look the same.  Heck it almost feels the same too me sometimes.  Checking to see if someone is a diabetic is sooo important for police, emts and everyone to do.

That's so cool how you showed the officers the video of me explaining what a lows feels like.  It's so hard to explain in words, I am glad to have helped in some way.  Everyone should see it who deals with people who have or might have diabetes.  Thanks for sharing it, I'm honored!

Thanks Bill I know it is all about education and if we the diabetics do not teach it then someone without diabetes is going to "try" to teach it without actually understanding all that goes with it. I think when I was a kid my parents tried to keep me from knowing about the stigmas. Even though I am type 1 I still feel it is my need to also "defend" the type 2s since the media puts such a bad spin on it.

As for the Cops that was funny needless to say they were like wow the lows and being drunk are one in the same. then one officer found my needle stash and was like in any other car they would suspect drugs but now they are more understanding with this information in hand. and 3 of the officers stopped by the fire dept today and asked me if the stuff they bought would help with a low sugar really quick like they had smarties and apple juice or coke. I told them good job. but reminded them to call EMS if they encounter a issue like low BG so the person can be checked out and we medics can ensure the BG level is good before we send them on their way. they agreed. 

Ohh and the infusion site yeah I hate it too but hey flukes happen I guess it was better then no delivery. The CGM what a nightmare but all good it has never happened before this so I will take this as a freak accident. 

Well I hope you enjoyed your holiday with good BG's and time spent with friends and family.

I have many people giving me articles and suggestions on how to better control my sugars who are thinking of type two diabetics.  I find it very frustrating.  They're so often of the opinion that if I were to just eat better or something, I'd not have this issue.  I never let on that I'm frustrated though, as thats not how I'm known to be, and being frustrated with people only closes their minds.  I, like you folks, view this as an opportunity to often educate people on the differences.  Great work in showing such people on the front lines the differences between low sugar and drunkenness.  

Audevourahn at May 2, 2010 at 5:41 PM

I have many people giving me articles and suggestions on how to better control my sugars who are thinking of type two diabetics.  I find it very frustrating.  They're so often of the opinion that if I were to just eat better or something, I'd not have this issue.  I never let on that I'm frustrated though, as thats not how I'm known to be, and being frustrated with people only closes their minds.  I, like you folks, view this as an opportunity to often educate people on the differences.  Great work in showing such people on the front lines the differences between low sugar and drunkenness.  

I am so with you on this one it was just one time thing