[Erin]

Keep in mind that my standard response to "But you don't LOOK like a diabetic" is "Well, you didn't LOOK like an idiot either, but I guess looks can be deceiving, can't they?"

"I certainly CAN eat that, if I take enough insulin to cover it, but maybe I'll just give you the insulin and skip the cake... the silence would be MUCH more satisfying"

Or Alternatively "I certainly CAN eat that, if I take enough insulin to cover it, but I can really only handle one pr!ck at a time... and right now, you're it"

"My blood sugar is 36mg/dl... if you know what that means, and can with authority tell me not to eat that, I'll give you the honor of calling the ambulance when I pass out... otherwise mind your own business"

"Dude, did you have some potty training issues? Because you are WAY too interested in what goes into my digestive tract"

It also doesn't seem like he understands that you need to BALANCE what you eat to the medicine you take... it might help to sit him down and really explain that the coke at the christmas party wasn't as much of a problem as you not KNOWING it was a coke... Knowledge is power.

[VinceF]

I have offered to hook tormentors up with just a few shots...then go on to explain what a little extrra insulin will do to them (try to embellish they're obviously idiots) Try to smile sinisterly if possible.

[jjames]

If it was me - I would go off on the person full-speed. Nothing get's the point across like being extremely rude and relentless. But - that's just me. Then again, if I did that with one of my co-workers, the others would laugh and think it was funny. (Monkey brain mentallity at the place I work at.)

But - for your situation I would talk to him in private with someone to witness it all, and tell him that it makes you fee uncomfortable.

[gettingby]

Originally Posted by GhostRydr

I'm sorry to hear that you are having these issues in your workplace. I've been so fortunate, my coworkers and my boss are so very supportive of me. When we have lunch meetings, our area associate will, at my bosses request, ask me what i'd like as they normally order pizza or subs in.

In your situation, perhaps sitting down with the fellow in question privately and explain how it makes you uncomfortable and is really not a joking matter to you about your health might help. Barring that, normally the words "hostile workplace" will hit home.

Best of luck

I'm with you Kurt.
Nowadays, the words "hostile work environment" say a lot without you having to resort to his level.
Hang in there.

[catgalla]

Sorry to hear your boss is such a jerk!! I agree, you should confront him and tell him you don't appreciate it and it is harrassment. This is your personal business and he shouldn't be saying anything to anyone about it especially where he is your boss. Personal information like that is supposed to be confidential. I can't stand ignorant people and I too would probably insert my foot if I had a similar situation. I let myself get so mad that I'd just explode. Good luck with this and keep us posted!!

[klpants]

Your replies have made me feel so much better and that this is an issue I need to resolve.

Gary: I know the sense of humour in the UK is different to where I'm from (Canada), but I've got used to it now. But, this instance is making me feel uncomfortable so I don't think I can just leave it...maybe if I saw this guy only once every few months then ok but I seem him almost every day. He is supposed to be my manager and shoudl know this kind of behaviour is inappropriate.
I can also understand what you're saying that he feels comfortable with joking with me, I can have a laugh at alomst anything (toilet humour, childish humour) except somethign which hurts someone else, I'm just too nice!

I'll let you all know what happenns!

[klpants]

Well, I decided to "bite the bullet" and confront this person.

Even before I closed the office door he had started to apologise! I explained how his comments were inappropriate and a slap in the face to my diabetes regimen. He aplogised and said he sometimes "forgets himself" and that I am the healthiest person he knows and appreicated how much dedication I have to keeping fit and well. He mentioned the other people he knows who have diabetes have given up, I hate it when people compare one person with diabetes to another person, we're all different with different physiologies!!

Anyway, our chat ended with a handshake and a hug, so hopefully no more diabetic jokes!

Thanks again everyone, I found the strength to approach this person from your replies!

[princesslinda]

KL so glad you spoke up to your boss and that things went so smoothly. I'm proud of you!

[June91]

I was getting a bit tired of threads ranting about people's stupid comments but am very glad that this one has a happy ending.

[GhostRydr]

Good job, sometimes sitting down quietly does the trick. Better this path than sinking to his level.

[poper77]

I JUST went thru civil treatment training yesterday at work! THis is called harassment. Since this person is your supervisor, it would be a great idea to go to someone in hr or his boss to let them know what is going on. In sitiuations where it is your boss that is being the harasser it is easier if you don't have to confront them. It is by no means acceptable. - at least in my company.....

[Just_Plain_John]

CONGRATULATIONS !!



Great job seizing the control there !

[rachelb]

Hi,

I'm sorry that I don't have time to read each and every reply and that I might repeat what someone else has said.

As a diabetic you are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. As a human you are covered by the basic moral mandate that other people should treat you with the respect that you deserve and that they would like in return.

Even if this person is your boss you should feel entitled to sit and have a serious conversation with him about how his comments make you feel and about how difficult a disease this is to manage, especially while working and having to deal with insensitive people.

If he still doesn't want to respect you then you should take it to your Human Resources group and file a formal complaint. Because of labor laws he will not be able to do anything to make your job more difficult as a result, and if he does then he's broken the law and could be punished as a result.

You might also try mentioning your discomfort to other people in the office so that they can band with you making this person aware of his ******* ways.

Whatever you do, don't just let him continue to treat you badly. You don't deserve that, no matter what kind of person he is, and you shouldn't have to stand for it. Sometimes the only way to make a point to someone with such a thick head is to do it officially.

As a totally separate aside which I hope makes you smile - I can only wonder what inadequacies he is dealing with himself that would allow him to make such awful comments about other people!?!?!?! Must be quite a few!

[blue_eyed_devil]

can i be really frank? i'll tell him to get bent. and then i'd find something about him i could use to make fun of him, give it right back to him. immature maybe, but that's what i'd do.

you're not being too sensitive.

[someone]

Maybe I am just weird, but I take a completely different approach. Not everyone can do this (much easier if you're on a pump), but I would simply take the cookies, eat them and bolus. He loses all his bets, and what does he have left to bet on? I avoid these situations by eating, drinking and acting like I would if I didn't have diabetes and it works! Eating a cookie or drinking a regular soda here and there isn't necessarily going to make you lose a limb or even cause a high for that matter. This is how I handle these situations and my control has always been perfect.