Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tim on December 24, 2012 at 8:30am

"Disabled" can be a double edged sword. If we use it right, it means that we have some limitation that may not be visually obvious, that with the correct enabling technology (e.g. insulin shots, bg meters) we can overcome. If we use it wrong, then we are consigned to being lower class citizens, shunned from the ordinary schools, employment, and services that any human being should have access to.

Yeah, it's also possible that the OP's doc is really part of a "disability mill". i.e. not so interested in helping patient in any way except for qualifying them for disability.

I was very lucky when I was a kid, that only occasionally would I come across a doc who consigned me to "disabled" on learning that I had diabetes. And I don't mean "disabled" in the good way where I get extra help that I might need, I mean "disabled" as in prevented access to care or services I needed. Then... when I was in grad school.... it was hard for me to find a good doc that would accept me as a patient (I nominally had insurance except whenever I went to try to see a doc none of them would see me!), and I ended up getting stuck with a doc who seemed to just be part of a disability mill, an entire circle of docs and labs that seemingly had no goal except to make sure that their patients were officially disabled.

You know I read some articles about disability mill operations, and I'm not sure I would believe them, EXCEPT that I was once stuck not being able to see any docs except those in that circle of disability mill docs. The stories sound too strange to be true (e.g. parents not sending their kids to school because if they learned how to read, then they would no longer be qualified for intellectual disability payments). If I hadn't seen (been stuck in!) this lower rung of hell with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe the newspaper articles either. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/09/opinion/sunday/kristof-profiting-...

http://www.fbi.gov/newyork/press-releases/2012/manhattan-u.s.-attor...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by nel on December 23, 2012 at 12:04pm

Firstly I wish you well and continuous good health Rob !!
I know people with type 1 diabetes who work for insulin pump companies . I also know people with diabetes , who work for the Canadian Diabetes Association ...they are shining examples . I recently had a medical , requested by the Motor Vehicle Branch in my Province , GP wrote on form " her observation is , that I will not require another medical drivers test for 5 years " .I am in my 73 rd year , living with d for 30 .She and I have an open relationship about my diabetes and other aging concerns .To "complicate " the matter a bit , PWD in Canada can apply with the help of Doc for a " disability tax credit" ..what it means, one has to prove , that it takes a min of 14 hours weekly to manage one's diabetes , insulin pump therapy or MDI ...the name " disability " may require changing ??:)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by sebabella on December 26, 2012 at 3:42am

Here's a great link regarding the rights for a diabetic or otherwise 'disabled' person, however one would define that.

http://blog.joslin.org/2011/11/diabetes-and-employment-rights-what-...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Capin101 on December 26, 2012 at 6:01am

You may want to consider filing a complaint with the North Carolina Medical Board: http://imp.ncmedboard.org/consumer_resources/complaint_process/

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Prince on February 13, 2013 at 2:38pm

I think you need another doctor. I work full time and my D is of no hindrance to my performance. I just keep my tool box (all my supplies)with me and it is of no consequence.
That makes no sense to tell that to a patient.

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next ›
• Page