I am kind of on a rant today. I worry about the state of Type 1 diabetes when it comes to public awareness. I realize that around 90% of diabetics are Type 2. I am not ignorant to that fact. But I think that the public is not well educated on diabetes in general, but in particular when it comes to the differences between Type 1 & Type 2.
I think that the public in general, including a lot of Type 2 diabetics, are ignorant to the differences between the types. That bothers me.
I wish there was some way to start some sort of campaign the inform the public.....maybe I should start one? Who knows.
4 comments:
I agree 100%
Most people do not understand, and think my type-1 diabetes could have been avoided....somehow.....like it was my fault :(
If you start an education drive, I will support!!
It bothers me too! And it bothers me more & more as time goes by. I try not to worry too much about it - after all, I don't know much about other peoples' health problems, but deep down it pee's me off greatly! If it was just a lack of information I'd just want to educate people. No worries. But it's worse than that - it's people who *have* had info about T2 and think they know everything about ALL diabetics. In fact, a lot of people seem to think they have the right to look down on us because 'obviously' we brought diabetes on ourselves by being fat lazy slobs - even if we're fit healthy energetic people! That attitude isn't fair on any diabetic. Particularly not a T1, but not even a T2.
I think diabetes has an unfair reputation - and I wish people around the world would give up thinking they know all about us.
You should definitely start some sort of campaign! I'm sure you'd get a lot of backing. I for one am out to educate anyone I can about the differences.
It's funny, I have very negative opinions of Type 2 people. Kinda silly I know, but some of us come by it "naturally", whereas most (but not all, of course) Type 2's have it because of their lifestyles.
So my main comment is -- does there need to be public education on Type I diabetes? I am hesitant, maybe to a fault, of never revealing that I am diabetic. It's my thing to deal with, I'm competent with it, and don't need the nuisance of educating anyone else about it. Since being diagnosed in junior high over 20 years ago, I have a complex about not wanting to be different or to seem weaker than anyone else around me, therefore my keeping my T1 to myself.
Because the majority of society with diabetes are those with Type II they typically lump those with type I right in with them as far as risk factors. The older generation is really bad about this. When I was diagnosed with type I my mother inlaw (husband died 10 yrs ago)said to me "I guess you've been eating too much sweets". I have always been very health conscience and ate the occasional sweet treat but never ate a lot of them and besides... don't people get it.... eating sugar doesn't cause diabetes. That is a hard one to get through to a lot of people. I know that being overweight and/or inactive can be a risk factor for type II but there are also genetics involved at times. It isn't fair to blame the disease on its victim by associating it as their fault because they fall into a risk factor. I also get tired of having to explain the differences between type I and type II to people. I think a lot of people should do an education drive to show the differences. I refuse to be ashamed of the fact that I have this illness because I am a victim and have done nothing wrong. Educating the public is important so that others diagnosed down the road may not have to endure some of the social stigmas we have and still do. If by telling my story it helps one person then it is worth it.
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