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It would be nice if JDRF would stop using "stricken with" and "awful disease" in their PR and speeches! Last year, I had to give a speech at the gala and they added a several suggestions that used those terms. I simply wouldn't do it! I gave a speech that encouraged hope, not fear. I still brought people to tears and let them feel encouraged with the look back to the beginning and how far we have come.
Messages about a person afflicted with a disease can so easily leave an unnecessary feeling of doom. As Ted Kennedy told his son "I know you'll do it, there is nothing you can't do. We're going to climb that hill together, even if it takes us all day!"
Here's to being a person who lives with diabetes!
I have always considered myself as someone who has diabetes, not as a diabetic. I decided that I would not let a disease define me or be a major descriptor of who I am as a person. I was rather taken aback when, during my first appointment with a new doctor, I told her my preference—her reply was that I would probably not live as long because of that!! I continued to see her for 13 years, but I am not sad to have been moved to a new physician.
I am a person with diabetes and, therefore, diabetic. For me, it simply describes a disease process I have and nothing more. It does not diminish me.
I agree with this. This nonsense of trying not to label things is ridiculous. I have diabetes, I am a diabetic. I have had this for 25 years and have always been called a diabetic. It is hard sometimes, yes but not because of the labels put on it. it is hard because it IS a disease that WILL change your life or it will end it. If those that are first diagnosed are coddled, then they will not learn this very early and will have a tougher time.
There's nothing wrong with "diabetic" as an adjective: Joe is diabetic. Just as Joe is French and Joe is skinny. We don't say "Joe is a skinny."
What some of us object to is "diabetic" as a noun: Joe is a diabetic.
Compare "He is a drug addict" (probably sleeping on the street and breaking into houses" and "He is addicted to drugs" (might be getting medical attention). Or "She is an alcoholic" vs "She is alcoholic."
Of course, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Call your friend "an arthritic" or whatever <G>.
Still say this is silly. What possible difference does it make what word is used? It doesn't change anything and, surely, we are not going to demand the entire world use only one specific label in order to avoid offending some diabetics. For Heaven sake, there are more important things to be concerned about than which term is used and how it is used. I am a new diabetic and am perfectly fine with "She's diabetic" or "She's a diabetic." This reminds me of all the politically correct nonsense. I think we'd all be better off if we could just grow a thicker skin and not get insulted at words or remarks that were never meant to insult or offend. Are we to correct everyone who uses the wrong term? For myself, I am sufficiently comfortable with who I am that I don't need to worry about what word is used to describe me/my condition (so long as it's civil, of course.)
Do you think it doesn't make any difference when someone uses a racial slur? There might be some people who wouldn't care if they were called by racial or sexual slurs, but that doesn't mean we should accept them. I think words do matter in subtle ways.
I like to make people feel as comfortable as possible. People with diabetes are already facing a lot of challenges, and I don't think it helps to call them something they find offensive, even if you don't.
A lot of PC terms people used to think were ridiculous are now generally accepted.
Maybe you think being called "a diabetic" doesn't diminish you. But it might diminish you in the eyes of another person, for example, a potential employer.
Of course there are more important things to worry about that what we're called. There are more important things to worry about than whether your child says "Please" and "Thank you" too. But most people try to teach their children manners.
All I'm saying is, words only have the power you allow them. Obviously vicious, hurtful words are, naturally, avoided and everyone knows they are not acceptable but, for Heaven sake, how is anyone to know which words to use for other things. I think the only ones who know which diabetic appelation is offensive are those who are offended and, since it is impossible to get everyone in the country on the same page as to how to address a person with diabetes, I think it would be easier on everyone if we could accept the fact that we have diabetes but it in no way defines us, no matter what language is used. We have enough to contend with and getting hurt and upset over this adds to the stress we need to avoid. There is always going to be someone who uses the wrong term so don't let it get to you. Life is too short.
We're talking about labels for people with diabetes. There are all sorts of hurtful things in the world, why add to them and why drag in all the other subjects to bolster your argument? I believe the bottom line is those who are offended by a label are actually angry at being diabetic and are lashing out. Perfectly understandable. Am I thrilled with my diagnosis? No, of course not! Do I wish I didn't have to go through all the measuring of food, counting carbs, pricking my finger half a dozen times a day and injecting myself? Absolutely! But getting hung up on labels helps no-one. Better that we help others to accept what "fate" has handed them than bolstering them in their pain. I realize I'm not explaining myself very well but I still believe, and always will, that labels are not important except for the power we give them. As for someone else defining me, as you suggested, that's their problem, not mine. I don't remember your addressing any of this in your book, though. You do not buy my take on labels and I cannot accept yours so I think we just need to agree to disagree.
a rose by any other name would smell as sweet...
I am diabetic.
I'm also clinically depressed, dyslexic, OCD, ADHD, a colon cancer survivor, I suffer from IBS. To simply say I have IBS does not do justice to my condition. 8 stomach surgieries in 22 months while fighting cancer has left lots of internal scar tissue and my stomach looks like a relief map. My belly button isn't in the middle anymore. But you know what??? I don't care because I SURVIVED!
Call me diabetic, hyper-active, obsessive compulsive.... doesn't bother me. Oh, I'm also disabled. And mildly deaf. ... a person with dibetes, a person with a hearing impairment, a person with a disability" oh, pu-lease......
My self esteem is not so fragile that I care about any of those terms. Any characteristic can be a slur if said in the right tone.... that long haired girl... the kid with braces ... the girl who's dad is rich... the girl who's dad is poor... you can even say "The Nobel Prize Winner" in a way that is derogatory.
There is one term that can only be said and perceived in a negative way: Mentally ill.
If I'm diabetic, people know I have to be careful with my diet. If I'm disabled, I have to be careful of physical activity. If I'm a little deaf, people need to get my attention before talking to me.
But call me mentally ill..... and people will steer clear. They'll wonder if I'm 'safe'. They'll get visions of people going postal, murderers, etc.
I have only seen my granddaughters 1 time in the last 5 years. My son's divorced. His ex-wife knows I'm on an anti-depressant. She believes that people should not take drugs that 'alter their perception of reality.' She says if someone is unhappy with their situation, change their situation, don't give them medicine to make them "perceive their reality as ok."
There is nothing I can say to convince her otherwise. She is afraid that an emergency will arise and I won't recogize it as an emergency. She considers me "mentally ill."
In reality, I have a chemical imbalance in my brain. I take a medicine every day that balances the chemical in my brain. Without it, I get depressed, sad. I am not mentally ill.
That BTK criminal in KS, is mentally ill. [He developed his own nickname. It stands for bind, torture, kill.] That guy who killed and cut up young boys, he is mentally ill.
If you want to champion a cause of 'correct names', start with 'mentally ill'. That label hurts and keeps thousands of people from jobs, family, social activities. That label will affect far more people than 'diabetic' everwill.
I don't know about the rest of you but I'm going to just start wearing a scarlet D embroidered on my shirts. That way there won't be any confusion as to who that wasteful 20% of the insured is driving up costs for everyone according to our HR representative at work. It will also make it easier to identify me when they down size to save on insurance costs and start rounding us up for relocation. I clearly contracted type one because of the terrible life choices I was making and will continue to be a burden on the system until I do the right thing and crawl out onto a ice flow.
Labels aren't as important to me as is how we are being portrayed by the Insurance companies to scare people into submission and acceptance. If I sound bitter it's because I am.
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Well written and food for thought. I work for an advertising agency with many healthcare clients. I will be mindful of your article as I proofread the next brochure, ad or white paper.