Okay, I will warn you up front that this post is a total rant and has no other substance besides the fact that I need to let off some steam. I am also looking for some of you who have dealt with this annoying stereotype.

As I was minding my own business here at my desk the janitor comes up to me and asks me if I have to take shots everyday. I realize that he was listening to a conversation I was having with a co-worker about insulin and so on. A total eavesdropping moment right? So I answer, "nope." And totally leave it at that.

He says, "Oh you got off of insulin. That's good. Just a diet now or pills?"

"No I have an insulin pump."

"There is a gal in another office I clean that has to shoot up every day." Then he does it. He does this sort of motion with his right hand towards his left upturned arm. As if he is shooting up heroin or something right into his vein! (READ MORE)

Ayhan Yildiz

One thing I have learned over my years with this disease is that many people know nothing about it. All of those typical stereotypes are still running rampant and sometimes its up to us to educate these people.

At times I feel like my shoes are soapboxes when I talk about diabetes to my family and friends. I never used to be this way but more and more I see how diabetes is misunderstood and instead of complaining about that I hope I can make a difference. I'll tell you, it is worth. (READ MORE)

Rant beginning. Prepare yourself.

Call me sensitive. Say I'm soft. I don't care.

I was having lunch with a new friend today and a friend of hers. Apparently, my diabetes had not been discussed at all before our meeting. This is, in and of itself, a good thing. But.

During lunch, friend of new friend - who works in a local Primary Care Doctor's office processing insurance claims - started into a rant about unhealthy eating, obesity, diabetes, and the havoc that diabetics and the like reak on our healthcare system. Ugh. (READ MORE)

"Dad, am I going to get diabetes?"

This was the part I was dreading. I knew this question was going to come up but how do I respond? Do I tell her about my fears. How I do not know how I could live with myself if you had this terrible disease? Do I mention the fear she may have to live with for the rest of her life? Should I mention how she may not but her future kids could get it? How should I respond? (READ MORE)

On Saturday November 3rd I will be participating in the American Diabetes Association's "Step Out to Fight Diabetes" walk. I posted about this a few weeks ago but now I am looking for some help.

I had an idea the other day to have one sentence statements on each of the t-shirts we wear as we walk. Right now, I have about 8 people that are planning on walking for "Team Beat the Bete." I would love to get some ideas from you about what we should have on our t-shirts. (READ MORE)

Having diabetes has many challenges as we all know. Exercising, eating right, checking our blood glucose levels, taking medicines, seeing doctors regularly, and so many more that I cannot even think of. We are busy bees.

One thing I have found as a major challenge is not losing my cool with people who maybe don't understand this disease so I would like to clear up a few things.

1. Not all people with type 1 diabetes are thin.

I am on a weight loss program right now and frankly, the only time I have ever been thin in my life was the year or so before I was diagnosed and was losing weight like crazy.

2. Not all people with type 2 are overweight.

This one drives me nuts. It is true that weight loss can help your chances of not getting diabetes but there are other factors too. I think of my uncle who had lung cancer but never smoked a day in his life. Same sort of a thing.

3. People who take insulin are not out of control. (READ MORE)