On Judge Sotomayor: Have We Broken the Glass Ceiling?

These two events (the Sotomayor nomination and the Kapche ruling) mark at least large cracks in that proverbial ceiling. Let us hope that this now means that more often than not diabetics will be evaluated only on their merits for a position instead of first being eliminated because of their condition.

I was waiting for the onslaught of diabetes management experts called the press! http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1900962,00.html?cnn=yes

In regard to symlin(pramlintide), she labels it "dips in blood glucose", but it's really used for postprandial highs after eating, meaning the high blood sugar not the low blood sugar!

Furthermore, the journalist says "Without enough naturally produced insulin, Type 1 diabetes patients must rely on an artificial source; some patients wear insulin pumps, which are permanently inserted under the skin to deliver a dose of the hormone after each meal or snack, while others self-administer regular insulin injections to sustain normal levels throughout the day."

Pumps are never permanent in any way!  

This is so misleading the public and is hugely unfair!  This journalist rushed to get her story and forgot the consequences this will have on those of us who live with the disease and work among the muggles(non diabetic folk), who will not know the inaccuracy of what she has said.

My son was 10 years old when we found out that he had type 1 diebetes, his older brother is in the Army.  Maybe my son would like to join one branch of the service, but we've been told that he wouldn't b e able to because he couldn't be combat ready.  There are many jobs in the miliaty that he could do that doesn't invole combat and he would be capabale of doing. 

 Most of his life people have felt afraid of him because they didn't understand what to do to help him if he needed it, even tho we tried to explain it, from the baseball coaches to grand parents and even the school health nurse. He failed his 8th grade year and I had to defind my self in court because  he missed to many days of school due to high blood sugars and not feeling well along with no trust (on both our parts) of the school health nurse. 

Maybe this land mark dession will open doors for many more opportunities for other people!

No, as a type 2 diabetic and well controlled,  I believe that as long as we take very good care of ourselves, Diabetes should not be held against us for employment reasons.

In fact, it happened just yesterday again.  My degree is in Electrical Eng. but have been told by 3 large companies in my area (after passing exams, interviews, physicals, etc.), that I would be unable to do the job because the DOT has a rule that if you are on insulin, you cant drive a commercial vehicle; and been told that I am unable to climb the ladders because of the risk of injury to myself.  What a load of ...

I know I will be the odd man out here, but it's time for a reality check.  I am a cancer survivor AND a diabetic. My hstory of cancer does not rule out jobs such as police, firemen and judicial positions.  It does not affect my thinking or physical abilities, unless I have to do chemo again.  On the other hand, my diabetes CAN affect my thinking and physical abilities.  Before you get all up in arms, please consider this.  How many of you have been in a situation where you really should have had a snack, but you pushed the limit because the meeting, church or whatever was almost over????  How many of you have made an unwise decision because your blood sugar was off and you didn't realise it until later???? If you are honest, MOST OF YOU HAVE!!!!  I DO NOT want the fireman carrying me out of a burning building, the policeman with a gun OR a member of the MOST POWERFUL COURT in the United States to have unclear thinking!!!!  The thing about diabetes is that in can happen to you, even if it never happened to you before! Some of you will immediately say, "It's the same thing ith a heart attack."  Actually, it isn't the sameat all. First, a heart attack is immediately obvious.  Second, it is more likely for a diabetic to get fuzzy thinking than for a person with no history of heart attacks to have one.  Wake up, people!  We're talking safety here, not unfair discrimination!

I would not have thought the subject of diabetes would even come up in the discussion of her suitability for the Supreme Court seat. Let the record be considered, not the health of the person unless it interferes with cognition. Diabetes certainly does not.

Until reading this article I had no idea that idea that type 1 diabetics were discriminated against like in the articles and the comments.  I am a type 2 but I have been unable to work because of a two brain surgeries (removed a brain tumor and then the second for fluid) and as my husband puts it, the baggage, that came after.  That was when I was diagnosed type 2.  I read the comments both pro and con, each had some very good points.  I feel that if you have your diabetes under control, truly under control, there should be no reason why you can't hold down whatever job or activity you want.

But as the one writer said we all have our unexpected moments of not feeling up to par, and sometimes that can affect how you think or act.  The first time I went to a new doctor I was told he would be giving me a fasting blood test, it was after lunch, I almost pasted out in the doctor's office because I had not ate.  Before he could examine me, he had to give me crackers and orange juice. That was my mistake, but it could happen to anyone.

I still can't understand about driving if you have an insulin pump or on insulin.  This just seems like people finding an excuse not to hire someone. 

About the military, what you can't be a diabetic 1 in the military, BUT, you can go to some foreign land and die from a bullit or bomb ( and that happens how many times in recent days)

I enjoyed your very informative (to me, at least) article.

  This situation is a tough one.  While I strongly believe that no one should be discriminated against for any reason regarding a job offer it does seem reasonable to me to review someone's chronic health condition as a prerequisite to employment.  It seems like a win-win situation.  If the employer knows about it they can set more realistic expectations and help protect the individual in case of an emergency situtation.  As the employee you can rest assured knowing that you were hired in spite of your condition and I know that would help me push harder to prove myself in that position.

  After having gone through many tough times myself in the job market I have learned that no one seems to know the answer to many questions when it comes to diabetes in the workplace.  In fact, living in a right to work state I am not aware that an employee has many rights when it comes to a company firing someone and even if you do how would you prove that you were discriminated against.  The company could say anything it wants and there is a good chance it would stand up in court. 

  I would love to read or hear knowledgable comments on this if anyone out there knows something.  Thanks for taking the time to read this.