ARE WE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR WORDS AND ACTIONS WHEN LOW

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Permalink Reply by Bronagh on July 31, 2009 at 4:20am

I feel very strongly that we are NOT responsible for our words and actions when low or even high...

I would draw the line at getting away with murdering someone when low of course, but as for what happened to you Sheila, I really don't believe your boss has any right to suspend you...of course the law may beg to differ on that one, but from a personal point of view I can't understand how anyone can be suspended from work for yelling whilst having a hypo! Would it have been more acceptable if you had dealt with the situation calmly and then quietly crawled into the corner and had a seizure?!

As for the case of driving...yes, we ARE responsible for controlling our own diabetes, but surely everyone has days where they do everything right and something still goes wrong? How can anyone honestly say that just because their bg was fine before they got into their car, and they took ALL the precautions we need to take while driving, that everything is going to go smoothly?

To me, that raises the question of where you draw the line...if a heavy smoker has a major heart attack while driving and kills another person, are they considered responsible?

Permalink Reply by Khürt Williams on August 8, 2009 at 5:53am

If I know that I have frequent hypoglycemia that has a strong likely hood of occurring when I drive .. then I should not drive. That is how I am being responsible (response able). I am not able to respond when I am already having the hypo. But I do have to live with the consequences of those I hurt when I am low.

On many occasions I have lost my temper and yelled and berated a family member when hypoglycemic. And each and every time, I have gone back to them and apologized and taken responsible for my behaviour. I have never asked to be taken off the hook because of my diabetes.

I don't think I should enjoy the privilege of driving and not be held responsible for what I do with that privilege.

Permalink Reply by Andreina Davila on August 6, 2009 at 5:00pm

Hi Sheila,

I am sorry this happen to you, I hope it gets under control @ your work.

Your situations brings an important question to the table. A very controversial issue of where do we draw the line. You will probably find lots of strong sided opinions about this topic.

For me, is not a black or white issue, instead it has many shades of grey. Maybe your boss will be ok understanding a little better the reason of your reaction, or one of the reasons ;) Maybe it is a reminder for all of us how serious hypoglycemic episodes can be.

On a very small scale, (is my husband who has diabetes) it has helped me a lot to learn that mood swings are expected with highs and lows, I think it would be helpful for anybody that is around a person with diabetes to know this, and what to expect... however I do believe at the end we are accountable for our actions, even if in some cases we are not responsible or guilty.

This is probably one of the most difficult emotional challenges of diabetes. The pressure and the stress of the consequences of being out of control. It is an issue that not only affects PWD but the people around them too.

Permalink Reply by Khürt Williams on August 8, 2009 at 5:57am

"I do believe at the end we are accountable for our actions, even if in some cases we are not responsible or guilty."

Exactly. I expect be held accountable for my actions during hypoglycemia. Just as we expect our employers to be held accountable if someone else injures us while on the job.

Permalink Reply by Saya on August 6, 2009 at 7:15pm

i hope it doesnt happen to you again
about your question
i think that varies from someone to the other,i actually get angry with anything when having a low,sometimes
it happens and i slip some words i shouldnt said but that's it
you should ask yourself why you have said those words
if you think you said it because you were angry for some reason you don't know,then it wasn't your problem
if you said them and you think you would say them any way either if you were angry or you aren't

i hope this helps :)

Permalink Reply by MelissaM on August 6, 2009 at 8:40pm

here's the thing we have the ability to control part of our disease but the rest is up to our bodies, and any results of over dosing is something we can't always foresee.

Permalink Reply by Preta on August 6, 2009 at 8:58pm

I think it is everyone's responsibility here to notify their bosses, co-workers and anyone that they around for long amounts of time. At my last job everyone knew I was diabetic, it is not something I hide. I don't shout it to the world but I have to look out for me. As you stated we have a hard time controlling ourselves and what we say when we are hypo....therefore don't you think you need some one to help you and look out for you.

I placed a bell at my desk and if I felt I wasn't able to help my self I rang the bell. This only came out after I was having such a low one day that I couldn't speak, couldn't help myself and was starting to convulse. One of my co-workers came by my desk and started talking to me, after a few seconds she knew what was going on and ran to get me some pop. It took a long time to come out.

I agree with Mark that the best thing is to explain yourself to your boss. When you get back to work you should have a mini meeting with all your co-workers and let them know what its like to be diabetic, what to look out for and how to help you.

Permalink Reply by Hawley on August 8, 2009 at 2:02am

What a great idea! I've never been so low that I couldn't call out for help, but I know lots of people experience that. I agree with you- I think the more people know- the more they are able to understand. I don't 'shout it from the rooftops' either, but I believe the best strategy is for the people you are around on a regular basis to be aware of your situation. I know it can be frustrating to have to clear up some of the same old misconceptions over and over again- but I leave the situation feeling that I've helped educate someone- and can feel some measure of accomplishment knowing that they can now go out in the world and spread more accurate information and awareness.

Permalink Reply by Khürt Williams on August 8, 2009 at 5:59am

"I placed a bell at my desk and if I felt I wasn't able to help my self I rang the bell."

Preta. That's a great idea. I'll discuss this with my coworkers on Monday. Now.. where to find a bell?

Permalink Reply by Diabolical Diabetic on August 7, 2009 at 2:14am

"Responsibility" is NOT synonymous with "control," folks. We are ABSOLUTELY responsible for our words and actions, even if we are not in control. Mark is correct, we are held accountable when we get into car accidents in which low bloodsugar is a factor just as much as if we are intoxicated. Call it unfair if you want, but it's true. If epileptics, narcoleptics, the partially blind, people with handicaps, people on Ambien, and anybody living with ANY other condition that could impair their driving, including diabetics are to drive, we have to prove that we are enough in control of our disease that it's not a definite we'll kill someone else doing it.
"Drunks," as you folks have so lovingly called them, also have a disease. Many of them do not control it, many of them do. I'm married to one of the fortunates who is controlling it by being in AA. When he was drinking, he got 2 DUI's. He was out of control, but he took responsibility.
We must do the same. It's a sad state of affairs when we feel we can pass off our behavior as a byproduct of a disease we never asked for. Grow up. Lots of people have conditions they never asked for. A lot of them have faced serious obstacles. There is absolutely no reason for us to expect the rest of the world to give us a free pass every time something goes wrong. Own up to it, then move on.
We spend a lot of time and energy on this site talking about tracking our numbers, adjusting our carbs and insulin, adjusting for stress, illness, hormones, etc. If you know your bloodsugar dips every morning and you're going to fall asleep in class, EAT EXTRA. If you know you've been stressed and your readings have gone haywire, CALL YOUR DOCTOR. Do some yoga! Hell, smoke up if you have to!
I've been diabetic for 27 years as of August 12. I'm 28. I've never known a life without diabetes. I have never, NEVER spouted off in a curse-laden tirade to someone and blamed it on my bloodsugar. I made a nasty remark to my husband once, and when I took a breath and realized I was low, cried and apologized profusely.
Frankly, it sounds like your boss is a dick and you're under a lot of stress as it is. Give yourself some time to recoup, and practice some stress control techniques. Then, create a back-up kit for your CGM. You cannot rely on technology alone. Listen to your body first and foremost.
We need to move past our traumas and work together to break the stigmas surrounding diabetes. Most of us work with the same people for 8 hours a day, 5 day a week. Someone needs to know we have diabetes. Otherwise, we're screwed, and stories like this will only serve to feed the mystery surrounding our condition. I grew up hearing doctors tell my mom I'd be dead by now. We need to start getting over ourselves if we expect others to understand us.
We are absolutely responsible for our words and actions when low. We are responsible for trying to maintain control of our bloodsugars. Such is our lot in life, we must deal with it.

Permalink Reply by Hawley on August 8, 2009 at 2:05am

Awesome.

Permalink Reply by Khürt Williams on August 8, 2009 at 6:01am

Nicely put.

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