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Has a stranger ever approached you to talk about your visible diabetes device(s)?
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I always keep my insulin pump visible on my belt, which is around my waste. Very rarely does someone ask me about it. Usually, it’s a question about my phone, pager, tape recorder, etc. On approximately two or three occasions, I’ve been asked if it was an insulin pump. No matter what I am asked, I respond that it is an insulin pump. If the person knows it is a pump, I usually ask, “are you a diabetic also?”. I am happy to discuss details about what kind of pump I use, what kind of insulin, or any other related subject matter.
But, I’ve noticed, even with other diabetics, that most people don’t care to discuss details. They just want to know what it is that is on my belt.
No stranger I use one
I often get asked about the CGM on my upper arm (when I’m wearing short sleeves or a tank top). Occasionally if I whip out my pump to bolus or turn off an alert, someone will ask about it. Almost always because they know someone who also has a pump. They usually ask me how I like it, and I tell them it’s better than five shots a day! (That’s my short elevator speech; otherwise I would have to say, “you got an hour or so to talk?” 😉)
No but I once complimented someone’s dexcom!
Yes. A man in his 70’s approached me while I was shopping. He saw my sensor and asked how I was able and o keep it on because his always fell off too soon. I asked him if he used Amazon. He said yes so I showed him skintac on Amazon from my phone. He said oh great. Now I can wear my sensors! No one had told him about it. Very sad.
Sure and it’s usually when my sensor can be seen. People have always been very interested and I have had some good conversations.
Yes, lots of times—always positive interactions. Most recently in grocery checkout line, the Dad approached and asked if I would talk to his daughter—a darling 10-year old who whipped out her Omnipod 5 Controller to show me. We both are anxiously awaiting IOS FDA approval. She was happy to see somebody “just like her” — I’m 74!
Yes, several times – and years after persons mistaking a pump to be an outdated pager.
Notable times were when I accompanied z neighbor to the hospital ER and the nurse noticed and we compared my t-Slim with her 630G. Another time the security agent at the airport asked me if I had spare time to step out of line and speak with her – her husband was considering pumps and she wanted my input, pros vs. cons.
Just yesterday lol I was talking about my omnipod and dexcom g7. She was a diabetic also who had omnipod dash and dexcom g6. I was very happy to talk to her. I never mind strangers asking better asking than staring.
Absolutely as my sensor is generally seen on my upper arm. What I do enjoy is meeting fellow diabetics as we identify ourselves from our sensors. Was recently in a cruise and another woman was wearing the exact same Freestyle Libre sensor and gave each other a high 5. This is the future of technology and making managing diabetes so much easier👍
Yes, and I have also accosted others I spot in the wild myself. LOL
I answered no, however, I have approached other T1D’s in the wild! One being my neighbor and now friend with LADA like me!
All the time. I look at it as an opportunity to educate people about type 1 diabetes and difference from type 2
Ancient history, but in the late 1990’s while touring Buckingham Palace in an area with multiple “NO PHOTOGRAPHY” signs, I whipped out my Medtronic to bolus a bit.
Female guard came unglued. She was ready to banish me from the kingdom for taking pictures. And even when provided an explanation, her eldritch manner did not allow for a smile. Must be a requirement of the job. 💂♀️
@Ahh Life, that ‘tickles’ me, sir. I’m from the UK and I KNOW how obstreperous SOME people can be over here. 😉
I sometimes get questions about my CGM when working out at the gym
I’m very eager to share with any other CGM buddies see around. Just to ask how it’s going and do they like their device!😃
Got asked recently why I was still wearing a pager
Presumably, when you mention “visible diabetes device(s)” that could include ALL diabetes devices. If so, I was once approached by the landlord of a public house and requested to leave as someone had reported me ‘shooting up’.
Fortunately, work colleagues that were with me immediately jumped to my defence, indicating that what I was ‘shooting up’ was insulin as we’d ordered food to eat-in.
The landlord accepted this after I showed him indication that I am, in fact, a Type 1 diabetic.
Happens a lot and ends in a good conversation.
Yes, while waiting in line at the grocery checkout was asked about my sensor on my upper arm. The person asking recognized it from the almost constant Dexcom TV commercials. They asked if it was worth the cost. I explained that it had made a tremendous difference over testing 10 times a day, especially since it paired with my pump.
I have quite a few times. I have approached others wearing a pump or Dexcom 6 or 7. Most recently a young lady wearing an Omni pod.
Not as often now that they are so common. I started a pump in 1982 and CGM in 2006, few had them then, more questions.
Yes! I love meeting fellow T1Ds is the wild! Most recently in the seat next to me on a flight. The gal next to me noticed my pump in my pocket and showed me her pod. Had a nice chat. What odd luck that two T1D strangers are assigned seats next to each other. I should have bought a lottery ticket that day.
It happens all the time and I am happy to chat with anyone who asks.
Most recently, two women in line waiting to get onto a plane asked if I was type 2 and asked about my CGM. They were very nice.
I explained I have had type 1 for nearly 52 years and just blabbered for a bit about diabetes in general… they started to seem slightly dazed, so I stopped… and, in any case, the line started to move again.
No, but I have spoken to people with devices and showed them mine
I said yes, but never to have a conversation, it’s always more like a “Cool, I have one too” kind of moment. It’s a club!
I have been asked if it is a pain pump, a pager. Asked whst that pink or purple tape on my arm is. I use over the counter tape to secure my cgm
Just last week was asked about my “medic alert bracelet,” and our discussion veered to her being a newly diagnosed TYPE 2.
They asked if it was a nicotine patch…ya know…to quit smoking. Man, if my patch is THAT big, I have a serious problem!
Also, many people think my OG omnipod PDM is a BlackBerry hahaha they’re like “How are your text bubbles blue if THAT’s your phone?!” (Iphone’s text bubbles are blue).
Rarely as my CGM sensor is hidden. Will go back on the pump in October, we’ll see. I do approach people with visible pumps or CGM sensors on their arms. It is like approaching a stranger with a dog- it is okay to ask about the dog, right? Once I say I am a T1D, all is well.
One time, entering London by flight, the immigration official asked if that was a “pain pump.” Have never heard that term.
Sometimes people who need morphine for pain control have devises that give them the medication just as an insulin pump gives insulin. Hence the term “pain pump”.
I don’t believe anyone has that I can remember as most of the time, the devises can’t be seen. However once while on the beach while on vacation, someone saw me with a waterproof devise hanging from my neck which I used to put glucose tabs in if I ever needed them while out in the water. They asked me what I had in that necklace.
I love it when this happens!
Usually kids!