Tuesday, May 19, 2009 LongtimeDiabetes asks

Q: Do you prefer to be called "diabetic" or someone who has diabetes?

I have always been a bit turned off by people refering to me as "diabetic". For some reason I prefer being referd to as that guy who "has diabetes" as opposed to he's "diabetic". I suppose its no big deal really. I am curious to hear others thoughts on this.

When peole acknowledge your diabets -

Do you (A) Prefer to be called "Diabetic".

(B) Prefer to b call "a person (insert your name here) who has Diabetes".

(D) Don't Care one way or another.

Thanks for your response!

- A
- A
- A

Answers (7)

Ginger Vieira, Health Guide

5/20/09 8:41am

I used to feel strongly about saying "I am a person with diabetes"...but lately, I've found that I have no problem saying "I am a diabetic." I can say "I am a redhead," and that doesn't mean it defines everything about me. I AM a diabetic - it's the truth.

By saying I'm a person with diabetes it could almost feel as though the diabetes is really seperate from me, or as though it's festering in my body like a bug. I am a diabetic. My body is diabetic simply because I don't make insulin.

LongtimeDiabetes

5/20/09 8:48am

Right on Ginger! I get that. Problem is I don't agree. I still have a stigma with the "ic" for some reason. I am not in DENIAL! At least I hope not after 36 years of living with it. I really have no idea how not to be me which is diabetic of course. I guess I just hang on to the idea that it does not define me at all and that a cure may be possible in our lifetimes ! Thanks for your response.

Little Rick

5/19/09 11:13am

i personally prefer

E) insulin deficient

Little Rick

5/19/09 11:21am

no just kidding. actually, when i talk about it, i ensure to say "type 1 diabetic" or "i have type 1 diabetes". several times i've been told "wow you're sure in good shape to have diabetes" etc...... as they assume I have type 2.

Bella M

5/19/09 3:26pm

Okay...When describing someone who has diabetes...I like for people to say "she has diabetes..." but only when I describe that "I" have diabetes to I like to refer to myself as diabetic...When a person who has diabetes says it to themselves it sounds more pleasant...but when others say it..it makes them feel like I have an uncured or uncontrolled disease....thats my word on it:) thanks:D

Leslie

5/19/09 3:43pm

I want my son to be called a person with diabetes. He says 'I have Type 1 diabetes.' Never I am a diabetic. I don't want him labeled in anyway, good or bad. He has a name and people should use it.

Anna, Health Guide

5/24/09 12:50am

It's so funny you asked this, because I just recently thought a lot about this.

I prefer to say that I have juvenile diabetes. And here's why:

A lot of people associate "diabetic" with type II diabetes. I'm not sure why, but by saying I have juvenile diabetes, I can assert that I am Type I, insulin dependent. Usually, that causes people to ask me if I have the "more severe" kind, which is an opportunity to launch into an explanation of Type I versus Type II (which I am always happy to do). I find that most people just don't understand the difference.

Also, there's something in the grammar. Saying "I am" is a much more passive voice. Saying "I have" is an active verb; it almost asserts a kind of control. Diabetes is just one piece of me.. it's not how I would describe myself.

JennyO2216

10/ 5/09 11:31pm

To tell you the truth i don't care. When people say " oh she's diabetic" , " that sucks" ,or "aw" i just say yeah who cares it doesn't matter. I use to get mad but i got use to it. Sorry it was long and hoped that helped.

Q: Do you prefer to be called "diabetic" or someone who has diabetes?

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