Misconceptions

So in the past few months i have encountered a lot of people who have made comments to me about diabetes... After doing so much research and going off of what I know from this experience as well as my nursing experience, I have realized that our society is so consumed with type 2 diabetes diagnoses that type 1 falls under the radar. Most people I have spoken with assume its the same disease.. It is not the same. Not even close... So here are some misconceptions about type 1 diabetes that you may or may not have known.

1. Type 1 diabetics can't have sugar..... Actually they can. They just have to monitor their blood sugar closely. In Hannah's case, if her blood sugar is too high we just save the treat for a later time when it is more under control. Truth be told, type 1 diabetics can eat pretty much whatever they want. Either way, we give her enough insulin to cover the treat that she eats.

2. Type 1 diabetes is the same diabetes that your grandma has.... Wrong answer... They shouldn't even be called the same name.. Type 2 is caused by obesity, unhealthy lifestyle, diet. Type 1 diabetes is autoimmune, possibly holds a genetic factor , or it can be triggered by a virus that attacks the beta cells which produce insulin.The way you treat them is different. Hannah will never come off of insulin. It is her life line.

3. Taking insulin cures diabetes... Unfortunately, there is no cure for type 1 diabetes. Insulin keeps Hannah alive. We will fight everyday for a cure.

People mean well. Truly, I know they do but after awhile it does make me angry to a point. I have been trying to remind myself of this but it is something i need to work on. Numerous people have said "oh i have diabetes I know exactly how Hannah feels."  Truth be told , no they don't, unless they are a type 1 diabetic. I try to use these situations as a teaching tool, maybe that is the nurse in me.. A woman at Wegmans was talking to me about it. I had a package of small containers of ice creams that kids buy at school. They are maybe 1/2 cup and are about 12 carbs each, small enough to not really affect Hannah s blood sugar. The woman said to me "oh they don't have sugar in them?". Again, total misconception. Its an epidemic that our society is so populated with type 2 diabetics..I see it all the time with patients. Its very sad. A good portion of them don't care and don't take care of themselves.. Now that I am on the other side of the fence as a parent with type 1, I want to just shake people. Its a horrible disease to have. I would trade places with my child in a heartbeat just to take away her fear, anger and pain.