As someone who has lived with type 1 diabetes for over fifteen years, I still find it disheartening when people make “diabeetus” jokes. Often, these remarks revolve around sugary coffee trends or mock someone’s food choices. Regardless of the context, there is nothing amusing about my condition.
It’s one thing to use humor to cope with your medical issues, as it can provide necessary relief from an otherwise overwhelming reality. If I didn’t find humor at times, I’d be overwhelmed with emotion. Managing type 1 diabetes is a relentless task—it’s a 24/7 commitment without breaks or cheat days, which can carry severe consequences.
My blood sugar levels can fluctuate due to stress, miscalculating carbs, exercise, hormonal changes, temperature variations, lack of sleep, and many other factors. What may be a minor inconvenience for others, like a lunch break being delayed, can escalate into a medical emergency for me. Consistency and careful management are crucial, but even with advanced technology, it’s not always achievable.
Living with diabetes feels akin to having a full-time job that demands constant vigilance—much like caring for a newborn or a challenging toddler. So when I hear someone laughing at the expense of my health, it stings. There’s nothing humorous about my daily struggles.
Moreover, these jokes often perpetuate misconceptions. There are several types of diabetes, and they are not all the same. As a type 1 diabetic, my body does not produce insulin, so I rely on injections, inhalation, or pumps. Skipping or forgetting insulin leads to serious health risks. And contrary to popular belief, I didn’t develop type 1 diabetes from consuming too much sugar.
When my blood sugar is too high, I feel flu-like symptoms—grogginess, irritability, nausea, and heat. Conversely, low blood sugar makes me shaky and sweaty. Both situations can become life-threatening quickly.
Managing diabetes is more complex than simply eating and taking insulin; it requires precise calculations—down to one-tenth of a unit. Timing is also crucial, as different individuals have different requirements regarding when to administer insulin. Blood sugar can change from minute to minute, making it challenging to maintain stability.
I didn’t develop type 1 diabetes from overindulging in sweets. No one else in my family has it. My condition was triggered after a stomach virus during a holiday, leading to a rapid decline in my health. Despite visiting multiple doctors, I was misdiagnosed multiple times until a visit to the emergency room revealed my critical condition due to unchecked diabetes.
Over the past fifteen years, my journey has had its ups and downs, but I’m fortunate to have good medical insurance and access to modern diabetes management tools. My condition is always present, and I cannot take breaks from it. Every meal and drink requires careful consideration of how it will affect my blood sugar levels. Failure to calculate insulin correctly can lead to uncomfortable and dangerous swings in my blood sugar.
Jokes about diabetes are not funny. They trivialize a serious health condition and can be cruel. Similarly, sharing horror stories about complications associated with diabetes is not motivating; it’s discouraging.
Language matters. Just as we avoid derogatory terms for intellectual disabilities or dismissive phrases about unusual situations, we should refrain from making light of diabetes. Such language reinforces harmful stereotypes about those living with chronic illnesses. Living with diabetes is challenging and not a punchline.
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