Sometimes I have to laugh or I'll cry.
I have Type 1 and I tell people about it at work. I mean, I don't go around bragging about it, but I don't want anyone to freak out if they see me shooting up at my desk, know what I mean? So, anyway, I do take the time to answer questions and educate others when I am asked questions and I find it interesting to have a good conversation about diabetes, and it often involves the discussion on the differences between Type 1 and Type 2, because no doubt another person will mention their grandma that has diabetes and four other people will chime in with the "me, too"'s and I have to say, well, this ain't your grandma's diabetes. In a helpful, and informative way, of course. :)
Introducing Susie Q-sie Type Two-sie, we'll call her. Susie is Type 2, about 5 feet tall and, I am not kidding, 300 pounds. I feel for her because she has got a lot more going on besides diabetes-as a matter of fact, she has recently had to go on oxygen and has to have her tank with her at all times. (It's very sad, and scary.) Well, she is my greatest nemesis when it comes to educating people. She drives me nuts sometimes! She is either grossly misinformed or really likes getting attention or something because she is constantly trying to compare herself to me and trying to, like, put me down, or make me look bad. For example, we'll have a birthday celebration (back in the day, before the economy wound up in the toilet and we could afford such luxuries) and she would pass on the cake and then if I even consider it, or have a bite, she makes some loud announcement about how I am "not supposed to have that!" like I'm being irresponsible. I feel like shoving the cake right into her oxygen-masked face. That is so wicked of me, but really? Do we have to do this? It's like she's constantly monitoring my food intake and asking what I am eating. I feel like she is trying to mislead people purposely about diabetes and caring for ourselves, just to make herself feel better, or to justify her health condition. She's probably way insecure, but some days I don't feel so nice. I would think that of all people, she would be the most supportive, of anyone else in the office, like we should be on the same team. People have even told me, "Oh Susie says that you shouldn't eat be eating bagels..." Like, now she's training other people to monitor my diet! And then I feel like saying, and shamefully have said, something like, "Well, look at Susie, and then look at me. Who's advice are you going to take about having a healthy diet?" Really, I don't eat stuff like bagels and donuts at work, but I find myself wanting to have a bite or two or three just to prove a point, that I can eat whatever I want. Yes, I have to take insulin, but I am NORMAL, people.
What would you do if you were in my shoes? Would you say something to her? Would you just ignore her, let it go? Is it petty of me to be bothered by this at all?
Come on, y'all, I can take it. :)