An Ann Landers Article

Shalyndria · #1 (**permalink**) 10-03-2003, 01:40 PM

I stumbled across this article and have no clue how old it is. But I was sure shaking my head in consternation after reading it.

http://www.insulin-free.org/articles/lander.htm

lgvincent · #2 (**permalink**) 10-03-2003, 02:09 PM

I wonder if Ann ever saw the letter from Stacy?

rzrbks · #3 (**permalink**) 10-03-2003, 02:13 PM

chalk one up the "Stoopids"

if you don't want to watch me inject, then Don't Watch--just avert your %$#@&^% eyes

HeatherP · #4 (**permalink**) 10-03-2003, 02:34 PM

How utterly ignorant. I do my testing and injections in our kitchen, and at the table in restaurants all the time. I try to be discreet, but I'm not going to hide in shame. (Who wants to inject in a public bathroom that's covered in germs??!!?? YUCK!) Maybe if more people truly understood the daily difficulties and lifelong problems that we all have to face, there would be more of an outcry for the cure!

rzrbks · #5 (**permalink**) 10-03-2003, 02:38 PM

Quote:

HeatherP posted:

(Who wants to inject in a public bathroom that's covered in germs??!!?? YUCK!)

that's what I used to do until I got my Induo device--felt like a cross between a criminal and a junkie--hey they is the same thing--so I guess I just felt like one of them

I wonder which one?

snydermom · #6 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 09:55 AM

I'll surely get nailed to the wall for this ... BUT -

It seems to me that Stacey was purposely misleading in her original letter. To say "I have a relative" rather than make it known it's a 4 year old that you're trying to teach about his life-long disease should have been clarified. And she points out the "big production" aspect, also.

IMO, HeatherP said the majic words - "I try to be discreet, but I am not going to hide in shame". Discreet is NOT a big production.

I have a cousin who injects in his butt - would you have him do that at the table next to you? When my daughter was nursing, she always asked for a booth or a wall table so as not to pop her boob out in the middle of the room. That is discreet and a 4 year old can be taught that the same as he can be taught to chew with his mouth closed (after all, he's going to have to do THAT for the rest of his life, too).

When any of my NUMEROUS grandchildren are around when Ed needs his injection I explain to them that Pap is sick and has to have a shot every day. Some want to watch the whole "production" from filling the syringe to the swabbie to the injection itself - 3 year old Gretchen wants to do it all! Some go running! That is discreet and giving them the option of whether or not they want to watch it.

When a blind man (and my own dad is blind) comes into my restaurant, I don't give HIM a menu but I do ask HIM what he wants. Then I tell HIM I've set his coffee at 12o'clock or 3o'clock or whatever. When someone doesn't talk to me loud enough (I wear aide's) I don't yell to speak up - I quietly tell them I'm hard of hearing. When my daughter-in-law with CP starts to lose her balance I grab her good, get her footing and we just continue on. (My grandson can do it better than me and never a break in his conversation!) That is discreet and not a big production.

Many of you will probably disagree, but a PUBLIC place is not the place to make a "big production". Most certainly, people need to be aware of ALL diseases and disabilities. But I, for one, don't expect everybody else to be comfortable with them.

Shalyndria · #7 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 04:50 PM

Gobbo,
I think you make a good point, but I have to disagree. When I was on injections I would go to the washroom with a handful of alcohol swabs and inject there, but only for personal comfort. But i would and still do test my BG anywhere. After all, even though my mom taught me not to chew with my mouth full, I cannot control whether the person across the table from me will do the same.
I don't ask that anyone be comfortable with my disease; they don't need to. But I do ask that some understanding and courtesy be passed my way. And I think that's what Stacy was asking for, although she could have worded her letter a little better.

snydermom · #8 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 09:09 PM

By all means - you should feel comfortable testing or giving an injection anywhere. Your life and health depend on it. And of course everyone with a disease or disability should expect understanding and courtesy be passed my way. But I would assume you wouldn't PURPOSELY make a production just to draw attention to yourself.

In that respect, I think you and I ARE in agreement.

rzrbks · #9 (**permalink**) 10-05-2003, 10:35 AM

Don't pass out on me, snydermom, but you and I agree, on this one totally

I am discrete about the way that I inject--I don't know if you're familiar with the Induo device--I take my reading and then just lift my shirt enough to inject doing this while I try and shield most peole from what is going on--good manners is what I'm going for--Iwould cetainly not do it in such as way as to seem to yell out

"HEY Y'all--LOOKIT HERE AT WHAT I'M DOING" that would be poor manners and my momma taught me better than that

snydermom · #10 (**permalink**) 10-05-2003, 04:56 PM

**!!Gasp - Choke - Help Me - I'm In Shock And I Can't Get Up!!**

Your momma sounds like one grand dame!!!

Belinda · #11 (**permalink**) 10-05-2003, 08:06 PM

Discreet is the key here! I check my BG anywhere and when I taught younger children they all wanted to watch...they even pushed the button...this helped alot because one child went to the Dr. for her 4 year old check up and mom was dreading it and the child said" Oh i want to push the button myself just like my teacher!" The mom came back and thanked me for helping her child get over the fear of the finger prick! and all the screaming/crying that was involved. Knowledge is power so think of it as a way of educating others. And now that I teach special ed. I don't make productions about anything...everyone is their own person and we all do and learn differently but we all do learn!!!

sand-not-oil · #12 (**permalink**) 10-06-2003, 04:07 PM

What a dreadful response! Injecting isn't a dirty or shameful thing. When I first injected I went to the toilet to do the deed as I (and the emphasis is on the I) was uncomfortable with the procedure, but after getting used to it and finding that in public (ie at a restaurant etc.) my stomach was an easier place to inject than my leg, I can now give myself injections and no-one notices. I have actually been in the process of injecting as the waitress has arrived, and she never even knew.

My best friend and I went out for a meal to a busy shopping centre, she breast fed and I injected, out in the open, and nobody noticed either of us, which just goes to show that you don't have to make a song and dance about it.

If people are curious let them see, if they don't be discreet.

mg_2204 · #13 (**permalink**) 10-29-2003, 03:50 PM

Hello!

I see people doing far worse... picking their nose, their teeth, scratching their head and make a storm of dandruffs come down on the table... ACK! That IS disgusting. Never bothered me a person would test and inject in a restaurant though. Can't see why it should bother me either. I don't really like seeing injections or blood so I just don't look. Simple! I would be really upset though if someone would get sick for not having his/her injection. Health is the most precious thing after all! Personally, I know in front of whom I just can't test. And I don't. Makes them happy, makes me happy.

Have a nice day!

Marie

Alaska · #14 (**permalink**) 10-29-2003, 04:11 PM

I wrote Ms Landers a little email

Please explain to me what YOU were thinking when YOU wrote this? Shame on you, If my leg was long enough I'd kick you in the rear from where I stand for such a comment let alone publish such a thing.
Over 17 million people with diabetes and most of us are insensitive and have poor manners? Maybe I shouldn't go out into public anymore because I'm wearing an insulin pump. Tell me.....who's the one who's insensitive now?