Friday, November 2, 2007

Why are people so stupid?

Seriously? Why? I was reading in Countdown Magazine, that I picked up at the Middle TN JDRF Walk To Cure Diabetes, that 7% of the population is affected by diabetes. They say by 2020 that the number will be 33%. That's one-third. One third of the nation that has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Why do people not seem concerned by this? Why do people not want to learn about this disease that affects so many people? I know that it's hard to be concerned by something that doesn't affect you. But so many people THINK that they know about diabetes because their second cousin's grandpa had it. Or their friend from 30 years ago had it. And they spout off stupidity because of it. No, I won't "outgrow" diabetes. I can't. I have Type 1. I have a friend who had Type 2 and was on an insulin pump for years. The last time I spoke with her she'd lost so much weight that she wasn't on insulin at all anymore. But she's still Type 2. If someone tries to tell me about their sickness, I try to listen. Even if it doesn't really affect me. Who knows what I might learn? When I found out my niece had cancer, I waited to find out what KIND of cancer. Then I researched it. Then I talked about it with her. I tried to inform myself. Why is that so hard for the general public? I know I have been on these rants before, and I am truly sorry if I am annoying anyone who's reading this, but it is constantly on my mind. I want to EDUCATE people. And I don't know how to do it!

3 comments:

Donna said...

Cara,
I know it is so frustrating when people start talking about any disease & they haven't educated themselves on it before they open their mouths.

How is your niece doing? I hope things are going well. When my mother-in-law had breast cancer a few years ago, I did what you did. I got the details on what type of cancer it was & did A LOT of research online. I wanted to be informed - to understand what was happening.

Some people just generalize things too much. When they hear the word diabetes, they think one thing - whatever they have been told by someone else - whether that was yesterday or 30 years ago.

I know you want to educate people about type 1 & type 2 and I think you are. You're also reminding the rest of us to do the same. Maybe it will take all of us to get the correct information out there. Thanks for reminding us to do that.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

I share your frustrations. The Halle Berry thing really got me going, but you're so right. Everyone has a story about someone they knew or knows with diabetes, so, of course, they know it all. Sad thing is, they're often so misinformed. Even diabetics themselves. I guess we can just do it one person at a time.

Bernard said...

Cara

People don't investigate because I don't think they really understand the implications. That's one of the reasons that I like the Diabetes365 Project so much. It gives people a great opportunity to see exactly what it means to live with diabetes all the time.