Monday, August 9, 2010

Show-and-tell...

I have rectified the aforementioned problem by introducing my pump to the entire office at this morning's all-staff meeting. I just said that I know people have had questions and, so, rather than repeat myself to each concern (which was getting quite stressful) I thought it best to just present it to the group.

I introduced several issues I knew to be of concern: I went through how the pump works, the various types of diabetes, the misconception that people have, like: somehow people with diabetes cause their own illness and that treatment starts with diet, then if it's really bad you go on needles and then if it's really really bad you end up on a pump. I relayed that the truth is there are various regimes for various types of diabetes and that everyone is different. I told them that I do not manage by diet, but rather I have an insulin to carb ration that tells me for every gram of carbohydrate I eat I know I take X amount of insulin to keep my blood sugar under control. I said that managing this way meant I could eat whatever I wanted, included candy and treats.

Finally, I told people I realized that their concerns come from a good place and I wasn't blaming people, because I realize there is a big public information gap regarding diabetes.
I finished by letting people know it was okay to ask questions if they wanted...

I'm pretty sure, though, that I covered most of what people were curious about or had misunderstood, but we will see...


6 comments:

Bob Pedersen said...

Great job!
Bob (www.twitter.com/rpederse)

Virtue said...

Thanks Bob :)

Anonymous said...

Hmm, I've never had a big discussion at work. Good for you! How have things changed since mentioning it?

Virtue said...

Thanks :) Yeah, things have gotten better. Still feel a little weird for me, but no one comments about things anymore... so that is good.

AND I no longer feel the need hide in my office to eat! Which was where I figured I should draw the line and speak up.

Anonymous said...

I'm very open with my pump with folks at work and outside work. However, coworkers still make odd comments. One guy came back from India today and had "sweets" and said "I know I shouldn't offer you this but do you want any." WTF? We are talking a bite. However, I didn't want it. Anyway....I'll get off my venting. haha.

Virtue said...

yeah, i've gotten that comment too :( not at this work, but elsewhere... i just wish people would ask instead of assuming. i don't mind talking to people about stuff when they don't act like they know everything about me and my diabetes.

sorry about your coworkers' comments... vent on though :) it's good to talk about stuff :)

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