I have been following a discussion on here about random, off the wall things people say about diabetes. Well I think my sister topped them all. Yesterday we were about to eat our Christmas Dinner and my son and I were talking about what he wanted to eat and what he wanted to eat for dessert. My sister very loudly informed me that " I can't let him have that!!!" I very politely told her that he was able to eat what he would like (in moderation) as long as we gave him insulin to cover the carbs. She responded with, "Well why don't you give him some aspirin then knock him in the head! That's the same philosophy!"
How did you handle that because I would have a time keeping my cool.
I actually chose not to respond. I knew that nothing I said would make any difference so I chose to simply ignore her, give him his dinner (and dessert) give him his insulin and go on our merry way! And guess what, he was just fine.
I've found that sometimes that is the best answer (no response, that is).
...and for kicks, I sometimes invite them to test after the meal to compare bg levels with my son ;o)
If it's a middle-ager you're dealing with, bet them $20 because your kid will likely have better sugars 30 mins after the meal than they do!
There are so many ignorant people in this society. But ignorance isn't stupidity, so as hard as it is to keep your cool, we need to take these insane opoortunities to educate the public. Remember that these are the same people that we ask for money for a cure every year for the JDRF walks and such! If we don't (exhaust ourselves, I know) educating the public, they won't understand the actual daily processes that we go through. My daughter had a substitute last year in her 1st grade class that, after she asked to see the school nurse for dizziness, told her to sit down because she was just tiered. Only when her entire classful of 6 year olds (I can only imagine) stood up yelling at the top of their lungs at this guy, "But she has diabetes!!!" did he allow her to go. He knew she had diabetes but didn't understand. All 22 of those children were educated on diabetes and fully understood. My daughter had educated them throughout the school year. 22 down but one substitute to go, right? Yes, I cried when I heard what he had done to my daughter (or tried to do) but turned it around quickly. I went up to the school and gave a power point presentation to all substitutes, principals, vice principals, librarians and special teachers the very next week. It is our "plight" as parents of diabetics. LOL Also remember that anger turned inward becomes depression. Don't hold in anger and frustration with others ignorance. Help them to understand.