A prejudice by any other name, would still smell as foul
You know, I’ve always been pretty open with folks about my health issues, especially after I found all the great people in the DOC. I finally learned of one of my own biases, a prejudice if you will, that I had. That was, of course, the worthless “who has it worse” T1 v T2 argument.
What little I “knew” of T2 I had “learned” just like most people, from the media and the diabetes horror stories that everyone loves to share. Coming into the DOC allowed me to see that bias for what it truly was, just plain old ignorance. Well, I am somewhat ashamed to say that I have found another one of those.
I have been uncomfortable talking about a condition I have recently developed and since I am usually pretty open with what is going on, I finally started to ask myself why. It is another bias, a prejudice that I had in me. I have essential tremors; my hands tend to shake when I try to do some things. It has become noticeable to others at times, but I guess it is what it is.
But, I had yet another prejudice: that those tremors made me feel like less of a person, less of a human, broken somehow. Why did I feel that way? I don't about my D. Was it simply because it was a “visible” condition, unlike diabetes and depression? I honestly don’t know the answer to that.
Even worse, that means I was thinking that way about others. I really don’t like this about myself, and I hope I can keep it in mind when I hear what others are going thru. As with any prejudice, admitting that I have it is a start, but I need to ask myself “If I was going thru that, would I be open about it?” If the answer is no, then I may very well have another bias coming into play.
I think is another instance of how media and cultural things can affect us and we don’t even know it. Hopefully, I can keep my mind open enough to realize this in the future.
Thanks to all of you
Scott
Today’s snarky comment: What do you mean, I need to basal test? I suppose you’re gonna tell me next that I need to change my lancet too.
What little I “knew” of T2 I had “learned” just like most people, from the media and the diabetes horror stories that everyone loves to share. Coming into the DOC allowed me to see that bias for what it truly was, just plain old ignorance. Well, I am somewhat ashamed to say that I have found another one of those.
I have been uncomfortable talking about a condition I have recently developed and since I am usually pretty open with what is going on, I finally started to ask myself why. It is another bias, a prejudice that I had in me. I have essential tremors; my hands tend to shake when I try to do some things. It has become noticeable to others at times, but I guess it is what it is.
But, I had yet another prejudice: that those tremors made me feel like less of a person, less of a human, broken somehow. Why did I feel that way? I don't about my D. Was it simply because it was a “visible” condition, unlike diabetes and depression? I honestly don’t know the answer to that.
Even worse, that means I was thinking that way about others. I really don’t like this about myself, and I hope I can keep it in mind when I hear what others are going thru. As with any prejudice, admitting that I have it is a start, but I need to ask myself “If I was going thru that, would I be open about it?” If the answer is no, then I may very well have another bias coming into play.
I think is another instance of how media and cultural things can affect us and we don’t even know it. Hopefully, I can keep my mind open enough to realize this in the future.
Thanks to all of you
Scott
Today’s snarky comment: What do you mean, I need to basal test? I suppose you’re gonna tell me next that I need to change my lancet too.
-
Comment by Sarah K on March 31, 2010 at 10:31am -
wow, scott. I'm sorry! I know it's got to frustrate the heck out of you! Is it genetic or one of those lovely autoimmune things like D?
(LOVE the snarky comment!!!)
-
Comment by Scott on March 31, 2010 at 10:41am -
They really don't seem to know what causes it, it affects about 2% of the population and usually manifests when you are in your 40's
-
Comment by Brian (bsc) on March 31, 2010 at 10:46am -
Whenever I feel bad about myself, I go visit Josh at http://worldsstrongestlibrarian.com/. Stuff happens. Sometimes we are just unwell. But in the end, what really matters is what is inside. We can overcome an amazing amount of adversity and still find joy in life. We just have to have the right attitude. In my own little corner of the world, people like Josh are heros.
-
Comment by Mike Ratrie on March 31, 2010 at 1:56pm -
Scott,
I wish you well and that you will "enjoy better living through chemistry".
Thx for the snarky comment!
Fair Winds,
Mike
-
Comment by Gerri on March 31, 2010 at 3:04pm -
Sorry:( Just when we get used to dealing with one set of things, life throws more at us. Whoever's keeping score on doling crap out, isn't doing a very good job.
I don't know if this is the same as what you've got, but a friend developed tremors. She was greatly helped with accupuncture. The tremors didn't go away completely, but they were lessened.
-
Comment by Cathy Jacobson on March 31, 2010 at 5:54pm -
Scott, I am disabled due to an emotional issue, I have Borderline Personality Disorder and PTSD....those are diabilities that you can't see. I will never work again. But because you can't see those things, people don't understand that I am just as disabled as the person who doesn't have a limb; or is blind, etc. They have said very cruel and mean things that cause me great pain. Some think that diabetes is my disability and I am very quick to tell them that is not the case. Through all of this, I have come to understand that my disability is just something I get to live with, my diabetes is just another thing that causes me to work harder at being healthy.
Now I have arthritis in every joint in my body...I limp, I sometimes don't walk as fast or as securely as others....people think that is my disability. We all have disabilities....and how we handle them or deal with them is a measure of our fortitude and strength as people. How we treat others with disabilities speaks to our integrity and soul. Sometimes it's hard to look at ourselves in that vein, and not always a pretty picture. But one that a person of growth and insight, like yourself, does from time to time.
And yes, I'd like to know whose keeping score, I think we need to check the rules of the game out first.
-
Comment by Scott on March 31, 2010 at 8:41pm
-
Thanks Cathy, a while back a friend of mine said something to me that I really need to remember more often
Everyone in this world has their cross to bear. Some of those crosses are light, some are heavy and sometimes they just seem heavy. But there is not one damn thing that says you have to carry it by yourself
Maybe I have finally taken that to heart
-
Comment by Cheryl on April 1, 2010 at 5:04am -
Scott,
One of the advisors that I work with has essential tremors. He finds it difficult at times to hold a glass and something like soup can be very difficult to manage, his tremors mostly affect his hands and neck. A few years back the neck tremors actually made it very difficult for him to speak and that lasted for about six months before subsiding.
It doesn't change him as a person. It won't change you as a person. I think that you will find that people are often more curious than mean. Stress seems to affect essential tremors significantly so if you can keep your stress levels down, you may find that your tremors will under control.
Do take care of yourself.
Cheryl
-
Comment by Kelly Rawlings on April 1, 2010 at 7:17am -
I think the essential tremors just give you a little more natural rhythm. That's hawt! Go, Scott.
Hah! High this morning, couldn't start basal testing. Again. Oh, how I love to put it off.
-
Comment by Scott on April 1, 2010 at 3:43pm
-
LOL, MelissaBL said I was now shaken, not stirred
Advertisement
REsources
Groups
From the Diabetes Hands Foundation blog...
How do you measure the work of volunteers?
329,040 minutes, 329,040 moments so dear. 329,040 minutes — How do you measure, measure volunteers? In smileys, in tears shed, in counsel, in cups of coffee. In units, in carb counts, in laughter, in strife. In 329,040 minutes – how …Continue Reading
DHF Expands Board of Advisors
Diabetes Hands Foundation has always relied on partners and advisors to increase its understanding of the diabetes space, in order to better serve people touched by diabetes. Today this is as true as ever, as we proudly announce the expansion …Continue Reading
TuDiabetes Team
DHF STAFF
 Manny Hernandez(Co-Founder, Editor, has LADA)
|
DHF VOLUNTEERS
Lead Administrator
 Bradford (has type 1) |
Administrators
 Lorraine (mother of type 1) |
 Marie B (has type 1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIKE us on Facebook
Spread the word
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
© 2013 A community of people touched by diabetes, run by the Diabetes Hands Foundation.
You need to be a member of Diabetes community by Diabetes Hands Foundation: TuDiabetes to add comments!
Join Diabetes community by Diabetes Hands Foundation: TuDiabetes