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How much do you think your close friends know about T1D? Select all of the statements that you think are true for you.
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I am very fortunate to have several close friends also have T1D, so that’s a no brainer. As for other close friends, they may know something but not much, and what they do know about T1D is from what I have taught them about T1D in collaborative dialogue conversations or discussions.
Occasionally a thoughtful and caring close freind may ask what to do “in a diabetic emergency” with a question like “should I give you some insulin or some sugar?” That opens the door for me to ask, “Tell me what you understand about T1 diabetes and what you think you should do”, and “Are you interested in learning some basics about T1 diabetes and what to do if I need your help?”
I think lots of people know that I have diabetes but their actual knowledge about any of the details of diabetes is extremely limited. Unless you live with it why would you be aware of much about it except for the noticing that there is an abundance of TV ads for CGMs and medications for Type 2s. My best friend is conscious of me checking my CGM and understanding when I need to have something to eat.
No close friends
I woke up to an EMT starring down at me because I was on the floor. He gave me some glucose gel and I came around. I asked my housemate why he didn’t administer the Glucagon emergency injection and he responded “I only give that to you when your sugar is high, right?” UGH! I did train him numerous times about how to use the Glucagon emergency kit and when to use it.
sorry !! I just thought that was funny…
I am surprised at how few people can say that their close friends are knowledgeable. Maybe I am boring my friends? My T1d is always running in the background for me, as I check my cgm or nonchalantly give a quick injection. Usually this is without comment, often not noticed, but I am always ready with a quick explanation.
Knowledge of the T1D condition tends to be terra incognita to those not having it. Until you take off your shoes, feel the grass beneath your feet, the sand between your toes, and the sea slapping salt water between every digit do you realize the experience of what the experience is in reality.
YUP !!
Most of my closest friends are PhD level scientists but I’m frequently amazed by how little of what I’ve said about diabetes over the years has actually registered with them. Because they’re so smart though, they do believe they can explain it to me and give me helpful advice 🙂 I guess I shouldn’t be surprised when so many health care providers who don’t specialize in endocrinology behave exactly the same way.
Some of my friends have some knowledge of type one diabetes. My wife knows what to do if I am low. I’m not to hard on others who lack knowledge and I confess That I don’t have extensive knowledge of cancer, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, mental disorders and many other conditions.
Unless you live the experience there is little understanding. My spouse of 40 years has forgotten much of what we learned together. I’m the one with the diagnosis.
Over the past 57 years I have had several hypos where I pass out entirely. This has taught me to talk about and explain my T1D and I have usually been rescued by my acquaintances, often work colleagues rather than close friends.
It sure helps when others pick up signs of hypo before I can!
Considering some of my close friends are T1 as well.
It varies from a lot to a little… some of the “little ones” drive me Nuts because they think they know a lot!!!
Hearing someone discuss something and learning care are two different things. I’m not bashful of my diabetes, but in no way can I expect a non-diabetic to really understand my care. It’s not fair to expect others to know the nuances other than when to give or get help. I have two diabetic brothers (1 a TYPE 1, one a TYPE 2) who completely vary with their knowledge. Living alone I have to be prepared.
I like that the options were on the general side for this. I definitely don’t expect my friends to know how to take care of me. But I do think a general knowledge of what diabetes is, what insulin does, and what sugar does is reasonable to expect. I explain it to anyone that wants to know and most of my friends and acquaintances are curious so I answer a lot of questions. It’s pretty surprising and terrifying to me how many people think I need insulin when I’m low. 😳 So some of my friends know this basic stuff. My significant other of over 10 years knows more, but doesn’t have the level of knowledge I do since he’s not dealing with it day-to-day.
I caregive both my husband and my very elderly aunt, so I no longer have any friends of any kind. Several years ago, when I was working and close coworkers, they knew I was diabetic. Most knew what to do if I was low, but little else about the device management.