This week’s question: What’s the best reaction that someone has had when you told them you (or someone close to you) has type 1? … If you’ve not had a ‘best reaction’, what would your ideal look like?
Responses: It was pretty cool to read what supportive feedback looks like to people regarding disclosure. Alanna said, “The best one I received was actually on Saturday night! When I told a new group of people one girl said ‘Yeah! You guys totally deserve to have pumps covered!’ In regards to the push for the [Nova Scotia government to fund coverage for insulin] pumps… And that was it, there was no grilling or questionable looks when I wanted dessert.” Courtney noted, “When I was diagnosed I had more than one person tell me, ‘if there’s anyone who can handle this, it’s you,’ mostly because of my organization and what-not. I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but now I think I recognize that a) they were right- this isn’t easy- and b) them acknowledging that is actually a really nice reaction.” Jennifer’s response paralleled Courtney’s, as she wrote, “I frequently get the response ‘if anyone can handle this its you’ and I appreciate that response. My mom once told me ‘I was the only one of her 3 kids that could handle type 1 diabetes.’ Awww thanks mom! I took that as a compliment.”
Virtue’s Take: I love these, because they are real. They aren’t about repeating the pratfalls of mainstream discourse around diabetes or imposing judgement, but recognizing living with type 1 diabetes is a challenging and ongoing affair.
Personally, my favourite response to telling someone I have type 1 diabetes came when I was working as a volunteer in an oncology out-patient clinic. A middle-aged man with thick rimmed round glasses approached me after seeing the pump site on my arm. He asked if I was also a patient at the hospital. “No,” I explained, “It’s for insulin. I have type 1 diabetes.” He responded by telling me a story about a long time friend. He had heard that this friend was diagnosed with diabetes when they were in university. He said, “The next time I saw him he looked…” [Honestly, this is where I worried I was going to hear something horrific had happened.] But, he continued, “he looked FANTASTIC when I saw him again. Really strong and built up. He was healthier than I’d ever seen before- exercising regularly and eating really well.” I liked this response, because it wasn’t what I expected and it was the regular story complications or weird dietary advice. I can usually deal with those latter responses, but I often wish that it wasn’t the first thing in the conversation after I tell people I have a type of diabetes. As it was, the lead in to the conversation opened up a lengthy and insightful conversation, consisting not only about my experiences with type 1, but also his experiences with cancer and the chemo that he was going through.
So, what’s the best reaction that someone has had when you told them you (or someone close to you) has type 1? Feel free to let us know in the comments!
