Diabetic Perspective

I'm sure most of you have heard about the new Unicorn Frappucino; it has caused quite the uproar in my community.  I have seen many comments and posts about this beverage and its sugar content.  People are continually sharing memes and making comments about how this beverage will cause diabetes. Here are a few examples I have seen:

First, there are two types of diabetes:  Type 1, which is an immune disorder that causes the body to actually attacks itself and inflame the pancreas; this is what Kyli has. There is also Type 2, which develops for many different reasons: a lazy pancreas, weight gain, obesity, and a poor diet, but there are also people that develop this after battling cancer, because their treatment impacted their pancreas.  I am tired of the word "Diabetes" being used so carelessly.  Every time Kyli hears someone make a comment in public about diabetes,  she asks me if she caused her disease. These words scar her, and I have to perform damage control.  She has enough to battle. There is so much judgement placed on those with Type 2 diabetes that they don't need to have to deal with uneducated and hurtful remarks as well.  We ALL splurge sometimes, and enjoy ridiculous treats!  Granted, some of us do so more than others, but judgement isn't necessary. 

I have never seen a meme about bringing about your own cancer by eating processed food, or causing your own Alzheimer's because you drink from aluminum cans. Why? Because people understand it is disrespectful and rude.  Guess what, so are the diabetes remarks.  We live this disease everyday 24/7, no vacations, middle of the night blood sugar checks EVERY NIGHT, with many scary moments thanks to sugar highs and sugar lows.  My daughter could die if we do not catch a sugar low! Yes... she could DIE!  She will live with this disease the rest of her life. She will go through hell trying to manage it while going through puberty and possibly pregnancy, because the hormones those events produce cause this disease to be next to uncontrollable  The thing is, she doesn't have a choice. 

Finally, being a part of this community, I do not hold a grudge with those who have made these posts, because people don't know what they don't know, but I hope this post may cause someone to pause and think about the impact their uninformed comments may have on others around them. Please stop with the dirty diabetes comments... they are not funny.  

Hollywood Studios- This was the reality of our vacation: sugar lows during the day, and lack of sleep from more sugar lows at night.