Stop the insanity!!!

[TimO]

I am still fuming after receiving my latest issue of Reader's Digest over the weekend. At least two diffferent articles address diabetes (as a whole - not Type 1 and Type 2). I cannot believe the irresponsible medical journalism/ignorance/whatever pasted on the pages of their publication. Did you know DIABETES can be slowed and even REVERSED with diet and exercise? From what I read, before I had to quit from sheer terror, there isn't a type 1 or type 2, it's just diabetes. I'm absolutely awe-struck, and will not be renewing my subscription. I've been waiting to calm down before e-mailing the editorial department. What do you think -- am I calm enough now? Thanks for letting me vent.
Please, Please, we've got to work together to educate people that our children won't "outgrow" this (as a client just asked me 20 minutes ago), that they don't just take a pill, exercise, watch their diet and avoid candy, (since that's what caused it in the first place, right)?

[Laura]

Unfortunately, unless people deal with type 1 on a regular basis they probably don't even pay attention to the fact there are differences. My son was diagnosed almost 6 years ago and the longer we live it the more we hear ignorant things. When he was 4 I took him to a dentist for a check up. The dentist was over an hour late and my son was on shots at the time. It was time for lunch and he was starting to go low. The dentist wanted me to wait before giving him juice or candy so he could look at his teeth. I got very upset and said we were leaving. He asked me why I didn't just get him on the pill for diabetics then went on to explain to me that him missing lunch was probably good because he had less sugar in his body. Just this year my son was having his biopsy for Celiac and the anesthesiologist saw his pump and started asking me why he had it on and if he had eaten. I said no he hasn't eaten since last night because we were told he couldn't eat. He said "then why does he have his pump on, you don't need insulin if you don't eat." He was very upset with me and kept saying if he went low during the biopsy it would be my fault. I actually had to request a different anesthesiologist and made them call our endo who let them know they had no idea what they were talking about. Hard to believe he would think a type 1 doesn't need insulin if they aren't eating. I've come to the conclusion that we as parents know more than even most doctors (unless they are endos) when it comes to Type 1.

[madde]

It is really frustrating how people are so uneducated about the difference between the two.

I get this all the time: She will probably outgrow it. When I try to explain that no, she won't. I am always interrupted by, well, my I knew someone's kid who had "whatever" and they grew out of it. No, I say "it is an autoimmune disease the body has destroyed the cells that produce insulin."
They just look at me dumbfounded, and comment, Yeah, but she might still outgrow it.

[lynn]

I wanted to scream on Saturday. We were at my nephew's (husband's brother's son) birthday party. The party started at 3. They fed us soon after we got there. Then they opened presents and sang and cut the cake. Then after cake and ice cream they passed out juice boxes to all the little kids. THEN they passed out bags of candy. All of these things were about 20-30 minutes apart. How am I supposed to let my three year old "be a kid like all the others" when they are hauling out treats everytime we turn around? When my sister in law noticed that Nathan turned down the cake and ice cream and we were discussing whethre or not it was worth it to have the juice box she told me that she was sorry. She forgot about Nathan and should she just not give him a bag? Since he can't have candy? I wanted to blow up. And cry. Not matter how hard we try to make life as normal as possible for them they will always we defined by diabetes in some people's eyes.
I took the bag of candy and since he had already had two shots in and hour and a half we were looking for something small that he could just have and not regret it later. My brother in law asked my husband what I was doing. What were the papers that I was looking at? When he was told that I was looking for something that was small enough for him to not need a shot he was SHOCKED that we are STILL doing shots. "When Mary got diabetes she just had to get things under control and now she's fine." Mary is their 350 pound stepmother.
So we repeated the lesson that they got in August. Only much more bluntly this time. Mary "got diabetes" from leading a gluttonous lifestyle. Nathan developed diabetes because he has an autoimmune condition. There is nothing that can stop his body from killing his insulin producing cells. Mary is killing herself. Nathan's body will kill him if we don't take care of him every minute of every day forever.
Saturday was a hard day. Sorry I got a little long here.
Lynn

[bethdou]

I don't get Reader's Digest any more (don't think my dad does either), but if I find the article, I will be glad to send them a nice little note. :rolleyes:

I know that people don't get the difference sometimes, but if you try to explain it to them and then they correct you, I think they deserve a smack in the head. OK, maybe that's a little harsh, but it sure would feel good sometimes.....

I wonder, is it just that people in general are so wrapped up in their own lives that the details we give them just slip right on by? Hellooo, this is a family member we are talking about here, pay some attention!! Sorry, I'm feeling melancholy today. And maybe just a tad violent.

:D

[Ben'sMommy]

<<<SIGH>>>

I feel like all we can do is try to educate the people we are personally surrounded by and hope that one day the differences will be obvious to the rest of the world.
I don't think it's malicious or intentional but rather a very serious lack of information and education.

But on the other hand people are morons and it's hard not to get annoyed by stupid comments...

PS: A 'friend' of mine asked me (in company) the other day if Ben was a loner because he had a disease? HELLO!?!? :eek:
He made my baby sound like a leper.
I told him to get a grip and watch his mouth in future. I wanted to explain diabetes to him but felt like if I didn't leave the room I may have been arrested for GBH!!!
How pathetic is he! :mad:

[Treysmom]

Oh how terrible!! I just feel like people ignore what we say. We can only educate people, but sometimes it makes you want to scream at them for being so ignorant. :mad:
I have to tell ya before Trey had diabetes I didnt know to much about the differences. I did know there was a diff, but I never would have said things like I'm reading here.

I do have a myspace account, I know I know. The whole thing is terrilble. But I am using it to educate people and put some of my feelings on there.
If they read it maybe they will learn.

[Lys]

Sorry, i ve read what you wrote, and i want to ask you what was the result of your biopsy.
My daughter is going to have hers, next month... and I'm afraid
Did it hurt? was he awake?
and is it possible they don't have celiac?
thank you for answering...
Lys:( :confused: ::(


Unfortunately, unless people deal with type 1 on a regular basis they probably don't even pay attention to the fact there are differences. My son was diagnosed almost 6 years ago and the longer we live it the more we hear ignorant things. When he was 4 I took him to a dentist for a check up. The dentist was over an hour late and my son was on shots at the time. It was time for lunch and he was starting to go low. The dentist wanted me to wait before giving him juice or candy so he could look at his teeth. I got very upset and said we were leaving. He asked me why I didn't just get him on the pill for diabetics then went on to explain to me that him missing lunch was probably good because he had less sugar in his body. Just this year my son was having his biopsy for Celiac and the anesthesiologist saw his pump and started asking me why he had it on and if he had eaten. I said no he hasn't eaten since last night because we were told he couldn't eat. He said "then why does he have his pump on, you don't need insulin if you don't eat." He was very upset with me and kept saying if he went low during the biopsy it would be my fault. I actually had to request a different anesthesiologist and made them call our endo who let them know they had no idea what they were talking about. Hard to believe he would think a type 1 doesn't need insulin if they aren't eating. I've come to the conclusion that we as parents know more than even most doctors (unless they are endos) when it comes to Type 1.

[Laura]

Sorry, i ve read what you wrote, and i want to ask you what was the result of your biopsy.
My daughter is going to have hers, next month... and I'm afraid
Did it hurt? was he awake?
and is it possible they don't have celiac?
thank you for answering...
Lys:( :confused: ::(



His biopsy showed he had the early signs of Celiac. His bloodwork was a very weak positive so we did the biopsy. They put him to sleep and it only took about 15 minutes. He had a sore throat for a day or two but that's it. He didn't remember anything. It is possible that they will come back negative. Good luck and please let me know how it goes.

[allisa]

I know the feeling....was eating dinner at a friends house one night...her son wasn't eating his veggies and she said to him " You need to eat properly so you don't get Diabetes like Ty"....I almost fell out of my seat !

I said to her " you know that there was NO way to prevent him from getting Diabetes, right ? This had NOTHING to do with what he ate or didn't eat"

She asid "yes, but at least it is good incentive to get the kids to eat better" To wish I replied that I understood the struggle to get kids to eat properly, but please don't use Ty as an example when he didn't do anything, that's not fair.

I'm putting together a blurb to post in our schools newsletter about Diabetes for November (Diabetes month)....will probably send it to local papers, too....try to SPREAD the word.....:cwds: