"But you don't look like a diabetic."

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by NyJonesy26/Ken on November 13, 2009 at 10:59pm

Usually I get to avoid most of these comments due to lack of a pump, but I have received most of the previously mentioned comments (usually as a result of me telling a little too much about myself). I'm usually cool about it, but sometimes I get snippy if I'm low, but I'd imagine most of us would in that situation given that we're trying not to, you know, DIE.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by MelissaM on November 14, 2009 at 1:49pm

I just got the funniest one, usually people don't know I have diabetes until I bring it up, but a few weeks ago I went shopping and the sales lady looked at my pump and said oh that's a cool model of MP3 player, what brand is it? and I started laughing and said oh no that's an insulin pump.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cara Bauer on November 14, 2009 at 2:10pm

I got the "you don't look like a diabetic" when I was first diagnosed. I responded the D doesn't appear in my forehead until I've been on insulin for at least 6 months.

I do get a lot of do you need to eat, should you have that, kind of stuff. Typically I educate people, since most people have no clue what should be done when someone is low or high. Even a couple of nurses I know are ignorant of it all!!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rachel Johnston on November 14, 2009 at 5:31pm

i get that all the time.
i saw a friend that i haven't seen in years one day. we grew up together and he saw my pump, he asked "whoa you still have diabetes?" no crap sherlock....

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by NyJonesy26/Ken on November 14, 2009 at 7:25pm

Didn't you know? It goes away with diet and exercise!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christine on November 15, 2009 at 6:13am

oh, haha! Lots!! I always get that, "but you don't look diabetic", too!

Also:

"oh, so you can't eat salt?"

"so that means you have to always be eating lots of sugar?"

"oh! yeah! that's what my grandma has!!!"

"wow..you seem so normal!"

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Timm on November 17, 2009 at 5:44am

From non-diabetics: "But you're so thin" - "OMG I'm so sorry I offered you something sweet"

From my father, who is a diabetic too: "Could you tell your mother that I'm allowed to eat that additional piece of cake?"

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by MelissaM on November 17, 2009 at 12:44pm

oh I have another one from a few months ago. I was eating a twizzler and this girl looks at me and is about to give me some sort of candy then she say "oh wait, are you allowed to have that?" haha I so wish I said "yeah my mom ungrounded me from candy so yes I am allowed to have it."

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Steve RRR on November 17, 2009 at 8:25pm

DIabetes has often been a lesson in patience and tolerance for me.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tom Goffe on November 19, 2009 at 6:36pm

This one happened just yesterday at the local Veterans Affars Hospital in Durham, NC. I was deep into an involved discussion about why some of the VA hospitals cover CGMS for their patients, and others won't even give a monitor to Type IIs. Long story short - it depends on how they choose to spend their $.

Anyway, we were interrupted by an obviously obese man of ~ 60. He noticed the sugar free treats on their table, and in a booming voice said "Whats with all this sugar-free crap? Where are the REAL cookies?" At first I thought he was an over the hill dullard trying to be funny, until he repeated the same stupid question 3 more times. By that point I was torked at being rudely interrupted and while taking out my insulin pump and pulling up my shirt to show him the infusion site I said "Try this for 15 years, and if you like it and all that goes with it, you can whine all you want for your cookies. On the other hand, I can see you would manage just fine without them."

Tactless, sure I was, but no worse than he. On the other hand, the Diabetes staff loved it, and I sure did feel better.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mikey Irish on November 19, 2009 at 6:55pm

LOL...Sometimes I get tired of explaining different things to people (Esspecially when they are just ignorant and are beyond help) and I just gesture to them like I am handing them something and say "Heres your sign...." I can deliver it with a totally straight face and I'm kind of big and, if you dont know me (lol) people have a hard time reading me....

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mikey Irish on November 19, 2009 at 7:00pm

I think Bill Engvall is one of the funniest guys I have ever seen do comedy but that joke pretty much sums up how I feel when some of these idiots go on their rants or make some of their comments. And Im am not shy lol. (quiet Joanne lol) I just tell em. Heres your sign....

▶ Reply to This

• First
• Previous
• Next
• Last