Myths, Misconceptions and Fallacies of Diabetes #GBDoc #doc #diabetes

 
Sadly, even in a time of easily accessible social media, online resources and innumerable TV programmes to choose from, there still appears to be numerous myths or misconceptions that surround both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. That is if the distinction between the two is even made!



Misgivings can include, but are not exclusive to the following:

• Diabetes is contagious - sadly I have been asked "Am I going to catch it?" on more than one occasion...
• All people have diabetes because of what they eat and they must have been obese at some point. Again, I have been asked how obese I was as a child...
• That there is only one type of diabetes, or the viewpoint that the distinction between the types are that there's one where you have 'too much sugar' and another where you have 'not enough sugar'.
• Diabetes means we are allergic to sugar and therefore just simply need to avoid it...and all is fixed! If only that one was true eh?!?

Dispelling these myths can be a huge challenge, even if just in our own social circles or through our online presence. Confronting these errors on a national or global scale however is far more difficult, and a continuing and ongoing mission. A task that many people with diabetes are taking-on every day in our own small parts of the world.



So where do these fallacies come from? Well as a person trying to tackle them, the answer is sadly, a whole host of sources. A major one though is the media. By the term media, I mean tv programmes where insulin is given to treat a hypo (this could in fact actually kill someone with diabetes), news reports where the type is unclear or completely inaccurate, social media where posts are published about miraculous treatments or diets that 'cure all diabetes' and newspaper articles that report on 'facts on diabetes' that essentially, are completely fictional. 



I would love to say that this is the only cause of the problem. However, the lack of awareness of diabetes in general, let alone the types, is a HUGE failing. The absence of any appreciation for the causes, symptoms and treatments of diabetes is the norm in most societies, as well as the recognition of the ever-growing prevalence of diabetes among populations in countries throughout the entire world.

So, what can we do about this? I would say that all of us can take different actions to try and tackle this issue and eradicate the distorted and propagandised views of diabetes. 



News reporters – please do your research thoroughly and make sure you state the type of diabetes that you're referring to in your writing. By using the facts, you will avoid causing offence in the masses, as well as those without diabetes to understand our daily lives a bit better. Equally, you may really help those who are at risk of Type 2 diabetes or those with symptoms of diabetes to seek the support of health care professionals if they see themselves in the facts given in news reports.


People without diabetes – please be aware that what you are currently hearing, seeing and reading may not be factually correct about diabetes. Therefore, please don’t assume that people have brought diabetes on themselves or that taking insulin or not eating cakes somehow ‘fixes’ everything. For those of you who believe you may be at risk of diabetes or are symptomatic…please seek support from your GP or hospital as soon as possible. I’m not trying to scaremonger, but hesitating really could put your life at risk!!!


Health care professionals – help to raise awareness without the stigma attached to it. We all appreciate the great and wonderful work that health care professionals do every day, however we (both people with and without diabetes) need support and understanding when it comes to diabetes diagnosis and treatments. All I would ask is that you recognise that the vast majority of us are doing our very best in terms of our health care, despite whether our health is deteriorating or we are struggling with certain aspects.


People with diabetes – spread the word! Despite the rise the in number of people with diabetes, the awareness of the condition and all it entails has not increased. Therefore, we need to be the mouthpiece that spreads the word about the reality of life with diabetes and to help those who have been ill-informed about diabetes to understand the facts. By sharing posts on social media, kindly correcting misconceptions amongst our friends and family and staying up to date on diabetes developments, we are doing our bit to help. Equally, I would say that the peer support is a huge part of diabetes. So, whether you are looking for advice from those living with diabetes, want to help others with a struggle you’ve already been through or simply want to chat and offload to people who understand, then get involved in your local and online diabetes groups.


I hope that with continued collaborative work between patients and health care professionals, local and national diabetes campaigns and news/ media engagement, the general public can become factually informed about diabetes in all its forms.

Thank you once again for taking the time to read my blog post.
Until next time, keep injecting 💉 or pumping 📟 insulin!
Ros x

TADtalk2017...Train reflections #TADtalk2017 #diabetes #DOC #GBDoc

So I've spent the weekend in London catching up with the lovely Amber (aka diabetesgeek) which was wonderful. However the true reason for our respective journeys to London was for the Talking About Diabetes (TAD) 2017 event.

As you would probably guess from the title, the TAD event involves lots of inspirational speakers sharing their motivations and experiences of life with diabetes. They were speaking to a large audience made up of people with diabetes and those affected by diabetes, both personally and professionally - a great mix of helathcare professionals, parents, children, partners and of course people living with diabetes every day. It was a really challenging and motivating event, and I must day that I wouldn't have changed a single thing about! I look forward to the next year's event eagerly...

Nonetheless, I must say that I attended with a slight agenda of my own outside the desire to hear from the great speakers on the stage. This agenda was to meet the wonderful Diabetes Online Community (DOC) members in the flesh after reading their stories, achievements and goals online. Moreover, I wanted to shake their hand or in reality, hug them, and to say thank you for all the support they have personally given me...and I was so happy that I got to do this! 😀

So what were they like? Well honestly I can say that they were what I expected them to be and a lot more besides - welcoming, friendly, chatty, funny and caring. They were all genuinely interested in finding out each others stories and being concerned with how others are coping with the ups and down that is diabetes! I instantly felt like I was at home amongst friends. Friends who cared and friends who want to help each other. The fact that many of us had only met earlier that day was never apparent as we chatted and laughed happily together. Throughout the whole day and the evening drinks provided by DiabetesUK, we were all keen to find out more about the people we have shared our diabetes successes and disappointments with online and to discover more about the person behind the profile. This friendly exchange of laughter, jokes, support and advice carried on for a number of hours until we all had to go our separate ways later in the evening...a perfect way to round off the successful TAD event.


This morning however, I woke up with completely mixed emotions, which took me by surprise.

Despite TAD exceeding my expectations in terms of the content of talks, the awesome stories, inspiring speakers and the running of the whole event, part of me suddenly felt sad that it was over. After meeting these wonderful people, some of which organised and spoke at the event and others as attendees like myself, I suddenly felt like I wanted more time in that bubble where conversations involved diabetes but we were all seen as people by one and other and where genuine concern and interest existed. Where diabetes could be openly discussed, where CGMs beeped and finger-prick tests were the norm and where kind supportive people where all around and we were all being viewed as more than just a HbA1c number...

I truly am so grateful to have spent time in the company of these people who I hold great respect for in terms of their personal successes and how they've overcome hurdles and yet are still focused on supporting others. 

So as I travel back on the train to Wales, I still feel a bit like I want to rewind time and want to relive yesterday all over again. How great would it be to have all the TAD attendees at your local meets up each time?!? More importantly though I am so happy to have been part of the event and it has motivated me to continue doing what I'm doing and to catch up more with these wonderful individuals at diabetes conferences, workshops and social meet ups!

Now back to filling in my evaluation for yesterday's event. As I positively feedback my views on it all, I reach the question asking about any further comments or suggestions and I truly only have one thought...I would love more of the TAD talk ambiance and connection that surrounded the whole event in my day-today life. Who wouldn't want more contact with the wonderful people who make up the Diabetes Online Community?!? I know I'm looking forward to the next event and seeing them all again already 😊 

For anyone who hasn't attended a diabetes event, I would recommend you attend one if you can and that you chat to the others who attend and can empathise with your situation. It's a pretty unique perspective that we share!

As always, thank you for reading my blog, and if I didn't get to meet you yesterday I really hope to meet you at a diabetes event very soon!
Until next time, keep injecting 💉 or pumping 📟 insulin!

Ros x