Fighting the Stigma of Diabetes

A few days ago I came across something I hadn't experienced for a long time, the social stigma of diabetes.

I was having a conversation with someone and, as often happens because of what I do for a living, the subject of my diabetes came up. Upon hearing about my condition the person looked me up and down and proceeded to pass a silent judgement on me based on what their perception of diabetes was ie a disease that's caused by laziness and greed. It didn't matter that I have type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition whose cause has nothing to do with lifestyle or diet, or that this persons judgment had an air of hypocrisy about it, given that I know they are a smoker!

But it got me thinking about what the general perception of diabetes is and how horrible it is for someone with diabetes, particularly type 2, to have to deal with judgement and generalization about their condition and the idea that people simply believe: "you ate too much, it's all your own fault!" It's hard enough having to look after this condition on an everyday basis without also feeling compelled to explain the pathophysiology of diabetes to every person who gives you a dirty look when they find out about your secret. In fact it's bloody exhausting sometimes!

I've often seen other diabetics, of all types, hide their condition or segregate themselves into particular groups, "I have diabetes but its type 1" is something I've often heard, as though they have to make an excuse. The public perception of type 2 diabetes is not only wrong but the social stigma attached to it only serves to divide us all and create conflict where absolutely none should exist.

Nobody wants to get diabetes.

Yes there is a plethora of evidence that type 2 diabetes is closely related to bad dietary choices and sedentary lifestyles but I have personally met and worked with many people with type 2 who do not fall into either category. It often affects people of all ages, builds and lifestyles for no other reason than genetic bad luck. Even those who are overweight and get it never intended for that outcome. Odds are that they feel bad enough without some high and mighty fool judging them and rubbing salt in the wound. It's always seemed strange to me that a person can develop lung cancer from a lifetime of smoking cigarettes and they will receive nothing but support and love from everyone. Yet if you are overweight and develop type 2 diabetes then the reaction is often almost the exact opposite even though both are life-threatening illnesses.

So what can we do about it?

Let's try sticking together for a start. Whatever type of diabetes you have, be it type 1, type 2, gestational or L.A.D.A, the fact is that we are all in this thing together. Instead of wishing that type 1 and 2 were given different names and definitions why not support each other, encourage each other and help each other live better and healthier lives with it. An interesting fact is that if type 2 diabetes didn't exist then the level of funding for treatment of the disease as whole would be far smaller and it would attract a lot less research into the hope of finding a cure.

The fact of the matter is that we are a nation within nations and we have a common bond with each other. We all know the time, effort and emotional toll it takes to look after ourselves. We know the pain of the highs, the fear of the lows, the frustration of having to always consider blood sugars when we're making daily decisions and we also know this is a life-long battle, and it's one that should never be fought alone.

Instead of trying to constantly distance ourselves from one another because of a fear of how we'll be perceived lets stand up for one another and try to eradicate ignorance and educate those who don't know what diabetes really is and just how hard it often is for all of us. The woman who I was speaking to judged me without thinking but that's not her fault. There's a mountain of disinformation, mistaken assumptions, half-truths and basic stupidity when it comes to how diabetes is reported in the news or portrayed in the media (if you don't believe me, watch "Con Air" (an immense low-point, diabetes-wise!). People simply take what they hear about it at face value and in reality they don't know that much about it. So I called her out on it immediately and explained the nature of the condition, taught her a little about it and how it's not something I would wish on my worst enemy. She actually thanked me afterwards as she didn't realize just how wrong she had it. And all of us can do the same. When you're confronted by a similar situation, don't get annoyed, don't make excuses for it, make something good come out of it by informing and educating. Every small moment like that will benefit every diabetic in the end as it will help to change how people see this thing and allow us more time to get on with the far more important task of actually living and thriving with diabetes.