Dear Oprah,
I used to be a fan. I used to watch your show all the time. Probably every day. That was back when I was in school and was home by the time you were on.
After I got into the real world and started working, I rarely saw your show. And frankly when I did, it was pretty sensationalized. As a member of the media, I pretty much hate sensationalism. I may be in the media minority when it comes to that, but it's a direction that I simply can't stand our industry has gone in.
I didn't watch your show last week about diabetes. In fact, I went out of my way not to watch. I didn't tape it or ask anyone to TiVo it or even go on to your web site to watch it. After having read Dr. Oz's article about diabetes I knew that there was no way I could actually watch your show without wanting to throw something at the TV. But I've heard enough about it to know that you butchered us.
How dare you allow an "expert" to generalize such a sensitive topic? How dare you allow a doctor who isn't a specialist in the field of diabetes spew such filth?
Since nearly everything you touch is gold and nearly everyone who watches your show hangs on your every word and believes everything that is said on your show I hope you realize the incredible uphill journey you have given those of us with diabetes.
It's misinformation like this that makes people think that with a little diet and exercise and perhaps some weight loss that I can reverse my diabetes. It's the kind of misinformation you put out last week that makes people think I must have diabetes "really bad" because I use an insulin pump.
Not only have you done a disservice to people with type 1 diabetes by telling America that we've done this to ourselves, but people with type 2 diabetes who aren't overweight or who are doing their best to manage their disease are now facing an even bigger stigma.
Oprah, you owe us an apology. Your editors and producers owe us an apology for not doing more research and demanding that you and Dr. Oz not talk about diabetes in general terms.
I hope that you see how up in arms the diabetes community is. I hope that with all your power and influence you can right this wrong.
Way to go - I had a co-worker come and tell me I was diabetic because I was fat!!!!! been the same size for 25 years - not too fat-just plump-she said there was no excuse for ANYONE to have diabetis!!!! I agree with the generalization comments - thanks - don't feel so alone now (been diabetic for 2 months!!
I whole-heartedly agree with you Michelle. I have had Type 1 since I was 10 yrs old and am now 55. I am not obese and certainly at age 10 did nothing to bring this on. I do not have any major complications, which is the pride of my life. The audacity of Oprah and Dr Oz, neither of whom have diabetes or are a specialist in endocrinology, is appaulling. I started watching the show and had to turn it off. Life in by "shoes" for a month, then start talking. Time for Oprah to end her show.
oh my, do NOT go to the actual Oprah website and read peoples comments! I am so depressed now! There are a hundred comments by stupid people agreeing that they should have to pay healthcare for us evil diabetics, we are all fat and lazy, etc....all the things we fight against people thinking and that Oprah has just announced to the world are true.
I am going to stop reading Oprah related stuff now because I am getting so angry!...lol
I watched her show every day and I will honestly never watch it again.
I am SO disappointed in Qprah and Oz that I am sick to my stomach. It was so bad, and to say WE diabetics ar going too bankrupt our country floor me. This did alot of harm!!!!
I did not watch either one of these shows about diabetics. I can tell you that I got this disease when I was 18 and not heavy at all. My father had the disease also and he was not fat at all. Dr. Oz and Oprah need to be more familiar with diabetes before they make such statements.
Way to go!!!! Awesome post!