10 Phrases NOT to Say to Someone with Diabetes
November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. Unfortunately, it’s not just the month of November when diabetics are plagued with ignorant comments. Here are some of the top phrases you don’t want to say to a diabetic.
“Can you eat that?”
YES, we can eat that! As long as we take enough insulin to cover the amount of carbs in the food or drink item, we are A-OK.
“You got diabetes because you ate too much sugar as a kid, right?“
Wrong. The exact cause of diabetes is unknown at this time, but scientists agree it likely is a combination of genetics and environmental factors, such as a virus, which trigger the onset of the disease.
“I know what you’re going through. My great-aunt had diabetes!”
While we appreciate an attempt at empathy, please save your breath. We hear this all the time; seems like everyone’s great-grandma’s uncle’s cousin’s granddaughter’s nephew’s brother-in-law’s cat has diabetes.
“Ugh, I have to get a shot today!”
You’re preaching to the wrong choir. A diabetic on multiple daily injections can take between 3-7 shots of fast-acting insulin a day, in addition to a daily dose of long-acting insulin.
“I’m eating so much chocolate. #DIABETES”
If you would hashtag the above photo as #diabetes, you are #cancelled in the eyes of everyone living with diabetes. Thank you, next.
“Can you go to the bathroom to do that?”
Your doctor doesn’t administer your vaccines in the restroom, so why should I go there to inject myself? Gross.
“You look good. I thought only fat people got diabetes!”
That’s not how it works, Carol.
“Well, maybe if you exercised more…”
While it’s true that exercise can stimulate better insulin absorption, type one diabetics will always need insulin until a cure is developed.
“Cinnamon cures diabetes.”
Take your pseudo-cures somewhere else. If a cure was as simple as cinnamon, diabetes would never be a problem.
“You better take care of yourself or your legs are going to be cut off!”
Yep, this quote is actually from a physician assistant in the ER. Not even medical professionals are immune to saying dumb things to diabetics.
