November is Diabetes Awareness Month and as a diabetic, I get my hopes up every year that people will take this opportunity to try to learn more about this stupid, annoying disease. Although some have impressed me, others are still completely uneducated about diabetes and how it affects those with it. To prove their lack of knowledge, they'll say some of these, and diabetics are tired of hearing them:
1. "Can I have some of your snacks?"
I need these snacks to keep me alive in case I get low blood sugar. So, no, you can't have a pack of my fruit snacks.
2. "We don't have any diet pop"
Okay, that leaves me with two options then: water or a diabetic coma. I think I'll have a water, thanks.
3. "I wouldn't be able to give myself shots everyday"
Given that the alternative is death, I think I'd rather take the shots.
4. "Is that a pager?"
This is an insulin pump. It makes me just like you except your pancreas is inside your body and mine is a machine outside of my body.
5. "Do you have the bad kind of diabetes?"
As opposed to the alternate "good diabetes"?
6. "Are you taking drugs?"
Well, I mean, yes, insulin is a drug. But if you're asking if I'm shooting heroin in the middle of Olive Garden, then no.
7. "Are you sure you can eat that?"
8. "Is that a step counter?"
Again. Insulin pump.
9. "God, you have to pee like all the time."
Sorry not sorry if my need for a bathroom every hour affects you.
10. "You're diabetic? But you're not fat..."
Thanks for the compliment, but that is a completely ignorant statement.
11. "Is your blood sugar low?"
Why?? Do I seem cranky? I'm about to get a whole lot more cranky if you ask me that one more time.
12. "My grandma's sister's brother in law's cousin's niece's dog had diabetes, so I know what it's like."
Probably not, but good for you.
13. "Why don't you just eat better?"
Just stop.
14. "Diabeetus"
It's pronounced dia-beat-eeze.
15. "I eat so much candy, I'm probably going to get diabetes soon, too."
That's not exactly how type one, works honey. But good luck with your impending tooth decay!
Happy Diabetes Awareness month! #DiabeatThis
