November 14 is World Diabetes Day. For those of us who live with diabetes every day, it’s just another day, but it’s also an opportunity to raise awareness about diabetes, treatments, and stigmas surrounding it. Over the past few years I’ve become increasingly active in diabetes support communities, from basically converting my blog to product reviews and pro-tips, to co-hosting the Diacast podcast.
So today, I’ll ask you take a step back and think about the following:
- Diabetes education and emphasis on mental health is sorely insufficient. Diabetics struggle with hundreds of small management decisions a day, societal stigmas and misconceptions (no, you do not “give” yourself diabetes and no, you can’t reverse it). Before you open your mouth to make an off-the-cuff joke about eating cake giving you diabetes, take a beat and think about the harmful stereotype that joke perpetuates. Because trust me, the cake will not give anyone diabetes, but you better believe I’ve been told by people in all seriousness that it will.
- While I am very open about my diabetes, many other people aren’t. It doesn’t matter what illness or disease a person has, someone else’s health and management are not something you can control. Only I can manage my diabetes. Don’t offer unsolicited advice or stick your nose into someone’s management choices – if you’re curious or want to learn more, ask if you can ask questions, and then respect the answer. Avoid using absolute words like “never” and “always.” Try not to judge or push. Personal health is a very touchy subject for many people.
- Using diabetes meds for off-label purposes (I’m looking at you, assholes using Ozempic for weight loss) are doing real, tangible harm to people who rely on those meds to manage their diabetes. Access to the drugs that many of us need to stay alive can be horrifically perilous (and not just in the US).
- Diabetes is not a death sentence. Diabetes does not mean we're going to have complications (thank you, modern treatment methods). Your aunt’s dog’s diabetes is not a good thing to compare to my human diabetes. Cinnamon is not going to help me (or anyone) manage.
- Diabetes does not have to hold us back. But it does change the equation. It introduces complexity and requires the ability to adjust and revise and pivot. It requires mental fortitude and a support network.
Today, I ask that you make the conscious choice to be kind and supportive of the people in your life (but especially the diabetics). Help combat misinformation and the stereotypes and misconceptions that we have to deal with every day. Support healthcare access so people can actually get their insulin or whatever meds they use to manage. Ask “what do you need from me?” instead of “why did you do that?”.
I consider myself extremely lucky to have such an amazing support network and friends. Your willingness to listen and learn and ask probing questions is a testament to you. Share that support with the people around you.
And while we're at it, let's keep funding research for a cure so that one of these days I can tell diabetes to go fuck itself forever.
