Diabetes in the Workplace and School

Let's face facts: We do not introduce ourselves to others as we should. It's normal to hide diabetes. It's a little embarrassing and a lot weird. I hid my diabetes for years, until it was too late and I ended up in the emergency room. Don't make the same mistakes.

In 1981, I had the worst insulin reaction ever. I was working as a summer employee at Kodak in Rochester, NY, and I made a few cardinal mistakes that fateful day. I woke up late, gave myself a rushed injection of insulin, and headed out the door with no breakfast or food. I was so rattled I did not realize what was about to happen. Later that morning, I was sitting down, shaking and barely able to speak. I vaguely remember a few co-workers asking me if I was okay, and I think I mumbled yes. Somehow, I was able to walk to the cafeteria, get in line for food, and by the time I was at the register I collapsed on the floor and rushed to the emergency room. A few days later, my mother had to intervene because my supervisor was concerned about my driving the mail route at work. I was transferred to a walking route. I was not fired. I was okay. But it could have been avoided. I was dumb. I was 20 years old, and I did not take seriously my responsibilities as someone with diabetes.

A few key take-aways: 1) TELL your supervisor, co-workers and everyone close to you that you have type-1 diabetes. Don't be shy. They will not judge you, and they will understand; they will not feel sorry for you, and they could help save your life. 2) ALWAYS CARRY some fast-acting GLUCOSE with you. Since that fateful day, I always have both glucose tablets in my pocket and a gel-pack in my backpack. If you are unable to check your blood-sugar and feel weird (sweating, unable to think straight, heart palpitations, etc.), eat the glucose with some water right away. Better to have your blood sugar run temporarily high, if you're unsure, than to crash low. 3) Keep glucose or carb-rich snacks in plain site for others. My wife is a master at spotting lows in me. She tells me to sit down (which, in my stuporous-state, often leads to arguing or even yelling from me! Who am I when my blood -sugar runs low?) and she faithfully gets me some fruit juice. Minutes later, I am usually back to my "normal" self.

Remember, YOU ARE A PERSON WITH DIABETES, not a diabetic. Stay strong, stay healthy, and check your blood sugar regularly.