[Scrabblechick]

Agreed Holly, but cancer victims (except for heavy smokers) are generally universally pitied and cancer is very much in the public eye. There are so many foundations and organizations dedicated to stamping it out. Celebrities stump for cancer cures. Who advocates for us? Pretty much Mary Tyler Moore, bless her. Mind you, I'm all for all the cancer research available and I totally support people helping cancer victims as much as they can.

Diabetics, however, are often seen as pariahs, particularly those of us who just "let our weight get out of control" and "did it to ourselves." We're in the same category as the heavy smokers who get lung cancer. It doesn't matter that my dad, his identical twin, their younger brother, my paternal grandfather, three of his sisters, my first cousin and my sister all have/had the D. It's quite obviously in the family. My dad wasn't obese, and never had been, and never was, when he was DX. His top weight was about 220, and he was six feet tall and coached basketball at that time. Certainly, he got plenty of exercise.

The only thing anyone sees is the fact that I am significantly overweight. Which is precisely why my boss does not, and if I can keep it that way, will NEVER know I am a Type 2. He hates fat people anyway, and I'd never have a minute's peace if he ever saw me eating anything, knowing I have the D. Nothing I can do about it, though, since Alabama is an "at will" work state. That means I don't have to give a reason for leaving, but it also means I can be fired for good reason, bad reason or none at all, and if I'm not within a defined discrimination group, I'm TSOL.

I'd love to see the ADA get real about some of those issues.