D Blog Week 2017 #3: The Blame Game

Today's topic: "Having diabetes often makes a visit to the doctor a dreaded experience, as there is invariably bad news of one kind or another. And sometimes the way the doctor talks to you can leave you feeling like you’re at fault. Or maybe you have a fantastic healthcare team, but have experienced blame and judgement from someone else in your life – friend, loved one, complete stranger. Think about a particularly bad instance, how that person talked to you, the words they used and the conversation you had. Now, the game part. Let’s turn this around. If you could turn that person into a puppet, what would you have them say that would leave you feeling empowered and good about yourself? Let’s help teach people how to support us, rather than blame us!"

I was blamed once for "not taking care of myself." I was prepping for a housewarming party running around all morning long, while that person did nothing to help. I was so overwhelmed with setting everything up and making food that I forgot to eat. My blood sugar drops really fast at times, and the next thing I know I'm sitting on the ground in front of my fridge with a popsicle in my mouth and this person standing over me accusing me of not taking care of myself. General concern and care would've been nice at that moment. Needless to say, we no longer speak to each other lol. There is a general lack of knowledge about what it means to take care of yourself, and people automatically seem to think that if your blood sugar is low or high, that you're not taking care of yourself, when there's really way much more to it.

- Danya G.

When I was first diagnosed, a classmate asked me if I ate too much candy over vacation and that's what gave me diabetes. But I really haven't had anyone judge me for having diabetes. Well, I have had people say "You don't look diabetic"-I guess that's because I am thin, so even though that doesn't apply to me, it is a judgement based on appearance.

-Lynn C.

If we could suggest anything to those who surround us, it would be have compassion.

-Lauren S.

Tomorrow's topic: May is Mental Health Month so now seems like a great time to explore the emotional side of living with, or caring for someone with, diabetes. What things can make dealing with diabetes an emotional issue for you and / or your loved one, and how do you cope? Let us know what you think.