This week’s Monday in Motion Q: When playing team sports or just active with other people, do you disclose your diabetes? How so?
Responses: So, pretty much everyone responding to this week’s question noted that they let their teammates know about their type 1 diabetes. Luke said, “I usually tell people that if they see me passed out on the ground call 911. They look at me strange for a second or two, (which gives me a little pleasure for some odd reason) then I explain that I am a diabetic and on a pump. Most people just nod and walk away.” Similarly, Shawn explained that the only team sport he currently plays is hockey, and all of his teammates know that he has diabetes. Natasha also said that if she is playing with a team for a season that she lets the coach and team know, and what to look for in terms of a bad low; however, she further noted that if she is just out doing an activity with a group of people she doesn’t go out of her way to explain that she has type 1. (Though, she recognized, that people usually find out incidentally, because of her checking her blood or dealing with her insulin pump.)
Sara and another parent said that they always let coaches know that their children have type 1. Sara explained, “With Marcus being so young I make sure to mention it to the coaches and anyone looking after my kid for more than a few minutes. I just let them know that he has T1D and if he starts to act drunk or really sleepy to call me over right away. I’m there with all the snacks and emergency stuff anyway.” While, Kelsey’s parent said, “With Kelsey we let the adult in charge know before she signs up. She tests her blood sugar, boluses, and treats lows in front of others no problem, then answers the kid’s questions as they come.” (Rock on, Kelsey!)
Virtue’s Take: It’s curious, because I asked this same question on Twitter a little over a year a go and got more of a mixed response. People mostly stated that they found people either too dismissive or so overly concerned that they were made to feel unwelcome when they disclosed their type 1 diabetes. Consequently, many said that they felt uncomfortable letting people know…
The only team sport that I’ve played is field lacrosse. I let the coach know, but no one on my team knew until almost the end of the season when I pulled my pump out of a SPIbelt tucked under my shirt. I was testing my blood and eating glucose tabs throughout the season, but somehow no one noticed until that point. Everyone was cool about it- interested, but not overly worried… And, to be honest, my worry wasn’t that people would be weird about it, but more that I don’t feel comfortable making it into some sort of big announcement for everyone. In the end, it’s nice if at least one supportive person knows, just to have your back throughout the games… but contexts and people differ, sometimes creating a bit of challenge in letting people know and finding that support. What have your experiences been letting teammates and coaches know you have type 1? Do you make it a point to let people know, or do you prefer to keep it on the down-low?
