A Letter To Those Who Think Diabetes Is A Joke
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

A Letter To Those Who Think Diabetes Is A Joke

This is a letter to people who make jokes out of diabetes.

729
A Letter To Those Who Think Diabetes Is A Joke

November 14 is World Diabetes Day, a day near and dear to my heart. Words can not express what being diabetic feels like, nor would I want to make even my worst enemy experience it. Although the constant finger pricks and the injections before I eat absolutely anything are a bit annoying, its by far not the worst thing about diabetes. People are. So, here is a letter to all the people out there that think Type One diabetes is a laughing matter.

To whom this may concern,

Diabetes is not a piece of cake or a bowl of candy posted to your news feed or timeline captioned "#Diabetes". Diabetes is not something someone is going to get because they just ate a Big Mac and a large fry. Diabetes isn't the answer to the math problem involving someone buying a ridiculous amount of candy bars in an elementary school math book. Diabetes isn't obesity.

Type One Diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, a hormone needed to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy. There is no cure, though there are researchers working on it, for type one diabetes.

Diabetes isn't necessarily staying away from sweets and sugar. Yes, diabetics need to moderate their sugar intake, but diabetics eat sugar. It's in just about everything. As I diabetic, I know what I can and can't eat. I've got it under control.

One thing I can leave you with is what a diabetic really is. A diabetic is a strong independent that deals with more than most people can even imagine. Diabetics are math whizzes, calculating every nutrition fact on the label to dose their insulin. Diabetics are learners, learning to live with a disease that literally attacks their pancreas. Diabetics are persistent. They never give up. They may hit hard times in their life, but they always get back up! Most importantly diabetics are people. They don't deserve people making jokes out of something they have to deal with.


Just a reminder, next time you offer someone a piece of candy and say, "Diabetes?" you aren't funny. You are making fun of a disease that affects 29.2 million Americans. You are making fun of a disease that could lead to the loss of limbs, sight, or even a life. It's not a joke.

Thank You,

Type One Diabetics


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

70854
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

132447
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments