How bad is your diabetes? I mean, what kind of question is that?
I love to workout at the Boxing Club in La Jolla, right by work, and I try to make a point of telling new instructors that I have diabetes - not because I anticipate that they will need to be administering glucagon at any time, but because I use the OmniPod. If I am adjusting my insulin or testing during a water break, too may of them think I am texting on a cell phone, and I end up getting yelled at in front of everyone. So I just let the new guys know so they lay off. The other morning, I took a class with a new instructor, and I approached him and let him know “I have Type 1 diabetes, its under great control, I’ve never had a problem here at the gym, and I always have my glucose meter with me so I can check in class if I need to, and I will just let you know if I have to leave or something, ok?”
First of all, you need to know that this guy had a THICK Brooklyn accent, making this entire story that much funnier.
He responds: “Oh, I noticed your little diabetes kit there, I used to have client with diabetes…I thought you might have it when I saw your little kit.”
I’m impressed he noticed the kit, and I start thinking that maybe this guy might be a little diabetes savvy, so I offer “I also wear a wireless pump - see (lifting up my shirt to show the pod on my back) - I am getting insulin all the time and can adjust it from a wireless handheld. Cool, huh?”
He raises an eyebrow and deadpans: “Wow, your diabetes is so bad that you need insulin all the time?? Like continuously? Wow.”
Trying to restrain myself from delivering a swift right hook to this guys head, I am thinking….yeah DUMBASS, I need insulin all the time JUST LIKE YOUR PANCREAS MAKES INSULIN ALL THE TIME!
Of course, I pulled out one of my standard “Diabetes 101 responses,” muttering something about all people needing insulin at all times throughout the day and how a pump mimics a pancreas….but really I was so blown away by the ridiculousness of the situation that I just left….and decided to blog about it here….because you guys get it!
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I love that complete show of ignorance: “Oh, you must have diabetes really bad.” It’s like saying, “Oh, you’re pregnant really bad.” You either are, or you aren’t, idiot.