A Comment On YouTube Made Me Feel Ashamed For Having Diabetes

Notes from the Type 2 Diabetics Diaries

First off, it was not a comment directed towards me, but I felt the sting anyway.

What started as me having fun rewatching scenes from the classic movie “Species” ended up making me feel terribly small. How did things get here?

In the film, the woman alien played by Canadian actress, Natasha Henstridge, is getting hot and heavy with a seemingly handsome guy when she suddenly steps back and says, “No. I don’t wanna do it.”

The camera lens zoom in on his half nude body, wet black hair and mischievous grin. We definitely see what she is seeing, but what is she truly seeing?

I scroll down the comment section and of course many people mentioned how attractive Natasha is(she truly is), but one comment stood out:

“Why did she back away? Does he have diabetes or something?”

I blinked.

Did…the person really…say…that?

Why would diabetes be the default illness he has to make her shove him away? Certainly, she (the alien) has to be selective with who she mates with, so a man with any disability or illnesses will be ruled out.

But diabetes though?

Before seeing this ignorant comment, I was already researching more about this chronic illness. I learned that in 2009, diabetes became recognized as a disability.

A disability?!

I don’t see it as a disability because I am still a capable human being. I can walk. I speak for myself. Go to the bathroom myself. I eat better than I ever have, and I exercise more than I ever have.

Many would say I am nowhere near disabled.

Yet, it is a disability.

The following key points apply to federal law:

Diabetes is a disability because it substantially limits the function of the endocrine system.

Diabetes can be an “invisible” disability.

Diabetes is still a disability, even if a person is healthy and diabetes is well-managed.

Find out more on the American Diabetes Association Website.

Even though diabetes does not stop us from performing our duties or playing sports, the fact that it is a problem of the endocrine system makes this an “invisible disability”.

For instance, if I am at a potluck at work and I eat just a bit more carbs than I should, my heart begins to race and I feel lethargic and dizzy. I may end up having to urinate often.

This will surely affect my production on the job. An easy solution is to bring my own meal or eat small portions of foods offered of course.

Another example is stress or other unknown factors. The building can be too cold or too hot and my blood sugars will spike higher than a normal person’s. For unknown reasons, my sugar can become too low and I will have anxiety and unfortunately certain low or high sugar numbers can mean coma or death.

Jobs will just have to be more understanding.

Which is why I am blessed to be working from home — for now.

There are people who are managing their diabetes well, and I definitely do not see them as disabled. The people in my support group are the most fun-loving people who surf, ride bikes, travel the world, and are amazing cooks.

So, to the person who commented that the guy may “have diabetes”, please get educated more. Yes, it is an invisible disability and it’s a club NO one wants to belong to, but it is not something that stops life.

Thank you for reading.