Many situations in life require tact, understanding, and consideration. Diabetes is no exception. Plenty of people have real-life stories about awkward diabetes-related situations they've experienced. You probably do, too. If you have diabetes yourself or simply know someone with diabetes, take the time to read this section. You just might learn something about "diabetes etiquette" that you didn't know before.
If You Have Diabetes
Tell only those who matter.
Not everyone needs to know about your diabetes. People who may need to know include family, classmates, and co-workers. The people you inform need to be sensitive to diabetes and prepared to help you in an emergency. Choose these people carefully, and make sure they understand hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, frequency of doctor visits, etc.
Help people help you.
You might want to ask some of these people to brush up on their diabetes education so that they can understand how to help you and also learn how to handle their own emotional responses to your condition. Perhaps they can attend your diabetes education sessions with you, so that they can learn how to support and not sabotage your program.
Know people's limits.
Realise that some people may not be as helpful and available as you'd like. You can try to discuss your feelings with them, but recognize that different individuals will have varying capabilities. Be as sensitive as possible to those who are uneducated about diabetes. Most people who have not encountered diabetes in their lives simply don't understand it. Instead of getting irritated, use your situation to educate them.
Don't complain.
Don't make an issue of your diabetes if you expect to be treated like everyone else. Everyone has trials in life, so don't make a big deal about blood glucose monitoring or any of the other things you have to do to manage your diabetes. If you're low-key about your diabetes, you'll be treated accordingly.
Rely on your sense of humour.
Rely on your sense of humour. A little joke here or a light-hearted comment there may make everyone feel more comfortable, especially in the early stages when you, your friends and family are adjusting to the fact that you have diabetes.
Don't be oversensitive.
If people say insensitive things to you about your diabetes, politely explain to them that they've offended you and why you've taken offense. That way they (hopefully) won't make the same mistake again. Understand that most people aren't deliberately insensitive, but rather are simply uneducated about diabetes. Instead of getting irritated, use the opportunity to educate them in a friendly way.
Become a role model.
Become a role model for others by being a leader/speaker/facilitator for local support groups on diabetes, or start your own support group. Taking care of your diabetes can become a wonderful mission when you have to model it for others
Finally, be prepared.
Always have extra snacks, insulin and/or other medications, sugar free beverages, juices, equipment (for testing blood glucose, insulin pumps, insulin injections) on hand. Keep supplies, including a blood glucose meter at work and anywhere else you spend a lot of time. Always have a blood glucose testing system with you that is easy for others to use. Teach important friends and family members how to use it. Make sure your family receives diabetes education so they can understand how to help you and how to handle their own emotional responses to your diabetes. When you show people that you're very self-reliant, you can feel better about leaning on them when you really have to.
How To Treat People With Diabetes (Whether You Have It Or Not!)
Treat them as you'd treat anyone else.
Be available. Let them know you'll help them if they need it. And be as supportive as possible. If you can offer to learn how to give injections or blood glucose tests, do so. It's one of the most helpful things you can do.
Don't sabotage their diets.
You might think that it's polite to offer to share dessert with your friends. In fact, it can be demoralizing, even dangerous, for people with diabetes. Don't suggest they have "just one bite." Understand that there are very good reasons people with diabetes must stick to rigorous meal plans.
Watch your words.
Never call a person with diabetes a "diabetic." A person that has diabetes might refer to him/herself as a diabetic but many people don't like using this term. He or she is a person first. Living with diabetes is hard enough; being labelled by it makes matters worse. Having diabetes is not a defining factor about a person. Also, avoid using the word "normal" when talking about diabetes. For example, don't say things like, "You seem pretty normal." This seems to imply that people with diabetes aren't normal. Similarly, don't say things like, "Funny, you don't look like you have diabetes." Diabetes affects all ages, sexes and ethnic groups. It doesn't have a "look."
Don't be a "diabetes policeman."
Trust that people with diabetes know what they're doing and know how to make their own decisions. They are probably far more educated about diabetes than you are, so you don't need to remind them to take their insulin or scold them for their food choices.
Lastly, don't tell diabetes horror stories.
Instead, encourage and empower your friends with diabetes by emphasizing their successes and those of other people with the disease.
