Diabetic Recipes
I'll tell you another secret. I kinda LIKE the Jonas Brothers. Laugh all you want since I am quite a couple decades away from their usual tween-aged fan base. Disney signed them though, and from Annette Funnicello until Miley Cyrus and beyond, Disney has a proven eye for musical talent. (Maybe not class, but definitely talent).
Nick is, at 15, the youngest brother of the singing group (they do have another even younger brother named Frankie - think Andy Gibb snubbed from the BeeGees for his youth). As everyone with any connection to diabetes knows, Nick has had type 1 for almost 3 years.
I'm possibly older than his mother and I have type 2, but for whatever reason, I feel this gives us a bond. I have felt that way about real life type 1 PWDs also. Maybe that's why I get my dander up when the "Type Wars" start.
You know what I mean - the justifiable resentment from the folks with type 1 when the mass media acts like type 2 is the only diabetes game in town. And the large number of unfortunately ignorant people with type 2 who think their case is the exact equivalent of a type 1. Usually, it's not even close.
A faction believes the 2 chronic conditions should have completely distinct and separate names. An argument that has a lot of valid points to it, but look at how many people are still stuck on the juvenile and adult diabetes labels. Changing the names yet again (remember "insulin dependent"?) could cause years of confusion.
But I do know how a scary, shaky low low feels, and I know the awfulness of a high sugar and the leftover hangover feeling afterwards.
I am also WELL aware that I have no idea of the never-endingness of it, or many other facets that type 1 PWDs live with. But I do feel empathy and caring and concern for people with type 1.
I guess that's why I hang around the d-blogosphere. And maybe I'm not the only person with type 2 who feels just a little bit closer to Nick Jonas than the usual Tiger Beat idol.
I appreciate your candor, Kim, and I certainly think that there's no reason that diabetics (1s and 2s) can't "all get along." But I've got to tell you, if I hear one more person ask me if I used to be overweight or smoke or something (because that's what people think of when they think diabetes, thanks to the media!) or if I can control it with diet, I think I'll scream.
We type-1s don't mean to be primadonnas who can't handle a little explaining about our disease, but honestly, at least let us have our illness without sharing it (and yet nothing like it) with everybody's great-uncle's brother's cat. If as many people had type-1 as have type-2, there might be a cure by now.
I guess what I'm saying is that it's not that I mind sharing the ADA or the insulin or the healthy lifestyle with type-2s. It's all the confusion and assumptions that come with the shared name.
That said, my heart goes out to you that you have ever experienced a low. That's enough to bond anyone, of course. But there is so much else we don't share. Likely the hundreds of dollars or more a month in prescription costs (insulin, pump supplies, CGMS, glucose products). And as you said, the "never-ending-ness."
OK, I'm finished ranting. Thanks.
I'm a Juvenile Diabetic at 44 years. Had it for 43. Oooh! Do I know about the Type Wars!!! All I want to say is I have survived quite well against 1)the medical community who constantly uses me as a lab rat to test everything 2)the community at large who thinks if I eat anything sweet I'll grow fangs and turn into a monster and 3) all the Type II's who whine because they like the way things were BEFORE they were nailed.
Betsybug, You very succinctly explained what I meant with my vague "justifiable resentment". It must really stink to have so many assumptions made about your disease day after day. I do know that my condition and your disease are VERY different, I just feel a bit of a bond.
Tatertown, 43 years, wow! Yes, I'd agree you are surviving quite well.
I was unaware there was some conflict. While there are officially type 1 , 1.5 , and 2's we all have the same disease. Reason for onset and course of action may have differences but we all have to watch our glucose readings.
I have no problem with well meaning but uninformed people who are trying to be helpful. It is an opportunity to educate them. They either gain knowledge or they learn to keep quiet next time. Though some will never learn.
My husband and I are both type 2 and trust me, we also have to pay hundreds of dollars for medical supplies, dr. visits, and prescriptions. I totally understand how frustrating it can be to be stereotyped, as type 1 you get the comments mentioned above. But how about since we're type 2, people assuming you brought it on yourself and somehow deserve it. Well thats what you get for being fat.
I think we all have problems we have to deal with and having diabetes sucks no matter what type it is. So lets hug it out..come on. No?