Would you take some help?

amylo · #1 (**permalink**) 01-20-2006, 04:33 AM

Just looking for your opinions on something...

I was talking to my personal tutor at uni yesterday about how I've been having a hard time with my BS and control. Normally i dont mention it to any one and just get on with things but it just came up in conversation as its been at the front of my mind recently.

A little background- Im at university doing a dance degree and im in my last yr. On monday i start rehersing all day everyday for our dance tour that is coming up, somthing im a little apprihensive of regarding my BS levels (i dont want to go hypo in front of everyone, but also dont want to be running high).

Basically, my tutor said that if i needed it, they would go a little easier on me and take my health into account during the process marks/final performance marks.

Now i have never been someone to let my diabetes set me apart form anyone or stop me from doing anything, hence why im even doing the corse. I also know that in the 'real world' these allowances will not be made. BUT, should i take this help? As my tutor said, it would be ashame not to get the mark i deserve because ive had health probs, however i dont honestly know how much difference my diabetes makes to my dancing, whether it decreases my stamina etc and i dont know if i would want them to go easy on me.

I guess what im asking is, what would you do? would you take help if it was offered, to get a better mark or would you go it alone and hope it'll be ok?

JediSkipdogg · #2 (**permalink**) 01-20-2006, 04:49 AM

Firstly, how long is the class? Also, how many breaks do you have in the class and are you able/willing to test your BG level during it and eat something/give a shot if needed?

Going by what I can infer from your post and making some assumptions...I would say don't ask for them to go easy on you. If the class is 8 hours, I would test at AT LEAST the half way point. And then if you need to correct your BG level by eating, you can. Most likely you are going to go low a few times. What insulins are you on? This will help to decide if you should cut back the insulins at all.

If you have the ability too, I would check the BG level every 2 hours during the class as that will give you a good idea on what it is. It will also help prevent extreme lows by not waiting an extra 2 hours between testing (if you test every 4 hours instead of 2.)

One word of caution is if you are running high. Don't adjust back to your normal level because you could then run too low with the extra workout. I can't really say how high you should make your adjustments too though because I'm not sure how hard a dance workout is on the body. I know it's intense, but not sure how intense.

I wish you luck with it.

MagsRM23 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-20-2006, 04:51 AM

If you feel like it is hindering your dancing, I would agree to let them take your BG problems/concerns into your grade. It wouldn't be fair if they didn't. However, I'm also a dancer, and for me, when I'm dancing, I totally forget about having diabetes. Unless my BG is extremely high or extremely low, it doesn't prevent me from doing anything. I have the occasional hypo where I have to sit out for 10 minutes and eat something, but besides that, dance is one of the things that truly keeps me happy. You're the only other diabetic dancer I've met! Do you use a pump or MDI? If you'd like to send me a private message instead of answering on this thread, that's fine, but I'd like to talk to you about what you do. I'm a college sophomore getting a dance minor in an effort to create a musical theatre degree out of my vocal performance and theatre double major. What kind of dance do you do? Good luck as you start your tour, and I hope to hear from you soon!

amylo · #4 (**permalink**) 01-20-2006, 05:18 AM

Normally i wouldnt even consider the extra help, i would even be a little insulted. However, resently my bs have been swinging so much that i get headaches and feel extreamly tired.

I guess the question is quite a philosophical one. Should we as diabetics take help, as say, a dislexic might in an English exam? Or should we stand up for our right to be normal no matter what? Its a hard one...

Class will be 9-1 and then 2-5, and im going to be doing plently of testing! It'll be abit strange as no-ones ever seen me do one (class is normally 2 hours so dont really need to), and im expecting all the questions/queries that come with it.

Maggie, i'll pm you

am1977 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-20-2006, 05:20 AM

This is a tough one

...

I think, personally speaking, I wouldn't feel right if I felt things were "easier" for me. If possible, I would do what the others suggested, make sure you have your testing supplies, food, etc on hand at all times and try to test when you can. Also, if the instructor is someone you trust, I would tell him or her about it, just in case of an emergency.

Good luck with your decision

LauRa Lu · #6 (**permalink**) 01-20-2006, 06:06 AM

I would feel the same as you I think. I wouldn't want to be treated any differently and I also wouldn't want to think I got a better grade just based on my diabetes. It sounds like you're doing very well without any 'help' which is great. It's just a bummer that the changes in your blood sugar are making you tired. I supose it really isn't fair that you aren't quite as on form as you know you could be.... it really is a tough one, But I think I'd be inclined to do my best and get a grade purely based on my perfomance

Also.... did we go to the same school? (Kingstone :smartass

I saw you're from Hereford and recognise your face..

amylo · #7 (**permalink**) 01-20-2006, 06:10 AM

Oh my god! Yes i went to Kingstone, i recognise your face too- were we in the same year? (Sorry I have a really bad memory)

Simon · #8 (**permalink**) 01-20-2006, 06:21 AM

Believe it or not I also regard myself as a dancer (I danced in the Latin American World Champoinships not long before I was diagnosed). Anyway, I know dancing is extremely demanding so if you're not on 100% form it would show. Since your BG's have only recently been off I would say you could legitimately say you need the consideration. In the longer term I would say it's up to us to manage our diabetes in a way that eliminates the need for special consideration. Steven Redgrave is diabetic after all and he has 4 gold medals.

LauRa Lu · #9 (**permalink**) 01-20-2006, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amylo

Oh my god! Yes i went to Kingstone, i recognise your face too- were we in the same year? (Sorry I have a really bad memory)

Yeh i was in the same class as Gemma bytheway, Lil, um... (seems like so long ago)

amylo · #10 (**permalink**) 01-20-2006, 06:30 AM

Appsolutely, it annoys me when they run doccumentrys (sp?) on tv about diabetes and the people are always 'poor us', 'feel sorry for us'.

I have in the past always got up and done things reguardless of whether my blood was 4 or 24, and it does make me wonder- was my stamina poor because of my diabetes or because im simply not fit enough?

I havnt asked for consideration but have been offered it. I guess it depends whether i would feel i was 'cheating' if i took it. After all as a professional you perform no matter what

amylo · #11 (**permalink**) 01-20-2006, 06:31 AM

Laura i'll pm u

SharLee · #12 (**permalink**) 01-20-2006, 06:34 AM

I,m not a dancer, but I would assume it,s very strenuous on you and the dangers of going low are great,,,It,s great that you test often,,I personaly would let them give me a little break,,I think you deserve it,,,If I know I am going to expend extra energy in a day with shopping or gardening or a holiday where I don,t want to embarrass myself with a low,,I let my numbers go a little high for that day only to compensate for the extra activity,,then I go back to my normal schedule,,,going a little high for a day or so won,t hurt you that much,,,but I mean just a little high,,,