Diabetic Recipes
The other day I was at the playground with the two toddlers. One of the other mothers was asking me how Olivia was doing and asked about her diabetes.
"She's going to outgrow it, right?"
Me: (silence) Blink. Blink.
Me: Um, no. Her pancreas doesn't work. It doesn't make insulin. It's not going to start making it once she's an adult."
I was trying not to rip my hair out of my head, but inside I was thinking "Good grief, do people still actually think you can outgrow diabetes??! Still?? In this day and age?" The answer is, apparently, yes.
So I did my quick, 30-second spiel on type 1 diabetes, but started getting the glazed-eye look pretty quickly. Then she proceeded to tell me that she knew all about diabetes because everyone in her family has type 2. Ugh.
Why won't people listen when you tell them there is a difference? Why? Is it that hard to comprehend? I mean, come on, I know there are two types of MS, there are many, many types of cancer - why is it so hard to comprehend that there are two different, distinct types of diabetes? Why can't people wrap their heads around that concept? It drives me nuts.
How do we get thru to people? How do we let them know that 1.) This ain't Grandma's diabetes and 2.) There is no cure. Because if I have to keep explaining this to people, I'm going to lose what's left of my mind.
I just remember how completely ignorant I used to be about diabetes before Brendon was diagnosed. Some people don't make a point to inform themselves of things that don't affect them. It helps me to be more understanding of people who ask questions like that.
I didn't know there were two types of MS until I read it in your post ;)
I wish I had been able to outgrow it! Instead, it's 22 years and counting.... It's pretty sad that there are still so many uninformed people in the world. But you gave your informational spill. Let's just hope a little bit of it sunk in somewhere.
Living with T1 for 31 years its still amazing how some people think they know more about diabetes than you do ! It just drives me crazy! After 31 years you think I would have out grown this by now !
Julia:
I think we just have to be willing to educate the non-diabetic world one person at a time. Most people hear information but they don't "listen" to the information unless it affects them personally, therefore, they may be seeing commercials or hear a friend talk about it, but if it doesn't touch their lives in a personal way, they usually don't store the information in long-term memory.
For instance, how many do you share something that is very important to you with your spouse only to find out the next day that they don't even remember you said anything? I know this happens to me sometimes, and I've been guilty of it myself. I've come to believe that happens because the issue does not hold the same importance to the hearer, therefore, it is easily forgotten.
I think if each person with diabetes works to educate our sphere of influence, then eventually the world will be reached . . . one person at a time.
DB
lthough we are different, he has given a lot of good advice about my diet, counting carbs and getting a good workout He has also taught me important things about rotating my shooting sites. I have hit a few snags and am working very hard to get me stable. My next A1C will be tomorrow morning and I am praying for a miracle. I just know it will be lower.