Police Officer Question Continued

[TShelton]

Ok I'm not sure why my thread was closed. I think that was a little bit rediculous. As for WiseWords, I have participated in athletics my entire life. I was mainly involved in soccer. Do you have any idea how much endurance is required to complete an entire match? Do you honestly know how physically demanding the sport is? If was able to go through all the athletics in which I was involved with no problems, I know for an absolute fact I could do so as a police officer. I don't know your situation, but you do absolutely sound pathetic. Diabetes IS NOT a disease that should hold you back from what you want to do. You really think that in the middlle of a 5 minute foot chase, my blood sugar will drop enough to affect me? Come on now, how much do you really know about this disease? The situations you presented were rediculous, and would not happen if you had your diabetes under control. So welcome back to the discussion people.

[TAutry]

Hi TShelton,

Unfortunately, the previous thread on this issue degenerated into something it shouldn't have. Let's hope that we can continue the discussion in this thread without ugliness.

Your interest in law enforcement is admirable. Whether or not you can serve will be up to the agency to which you apply. Different agencies have different physical requirements. While you might qualify to work with your local police or sherriff's department, the same might not hold true for state or federal agencies. Sadly whether or not you, as an individual, could physically do all the activities required of the job, the medical guidelines are written base on some formula. The best you can hope for is to apply, take the physical and the training, pass both and go on to a long career.

Good Luck!

Travis

[Alaska]

in the early 80's I applied for a motorcycle roadracing license and was denied due to my diabetes. Of course I did not take this lightly nor sitting down. We had a meeting with the board and My endo explained I was healthier then most people he knew and my heart was stronger then kids half my age due to the activities I participated in. I also explained I would test before each race and if it were below a certain level I'd just sit it out. With the help of my endo and a lawyer we solved this issue.
I can remember one July, it was HOT out. right before a race my BS was 80 so decided to sit this one out. Later in the day one of the race officals asked why I didn't make the last race? what was wrong with the bike? I said......nothing wrong with the bike. My BS was low, yea I could crammed a snickers bar down my throat and probably been ok BUT......with 100 degree temps, wearing full race leathers and me going 160 mph should I really out there being PROBABLY ok? I think not.
After that no one ever kept an eye on me nor did they ever question me about it again.

ALASKA

[WiseWords]

Originally posted by TShelton
Ok I'm not sure why my thread was closed.
I think that was a little bit rediculous.
Agreed, but mainly because this is an important topic of
great concern to many of us.
No one likes to be told that they should not do something,
and when one's diabetic condition is involved, there may
very well be a desire to prove to the world that diabetes
is not holding you back. The problem might be in looking at
it in that manner. There are many options in one's life.
This may be a chance to expand, rather than feel limited
by the possibilities.

I answered the other questions, so, I will just give you
a link to that new thread, but I will try to briefly respond
to these points:
Originally posted by TShelton
As for WiseWords, I have participated in athletics
my entire life. I was mainly involved in soccer.
Do you have any idea how much endurance is required
to complete an entire match? Do you honestly know how
physically demanding the sport is? If was able to go
through all the athletics in which I was involved with
no problems, I know for an absolute fact I could do so
as a police officer.
It is NOT a question of your physical strength or ability
at physical endurance. It is your mental attitude !
You do not know for an absolute fact that you could
be a police officer based on the fact that you had a
lot of stamina and endurance on a soccer field. I am not
saying it doesn't count for something. It most certainly
does. But there are many other issues. Your attitude is
not even a diabetic one, but it is an issue. One which I
will side step. There is enough just with the diabetes.

If you are good at sports, maybe you should consider
being a phys-ed teacher, or a soccer coach. At least when
you get low, you will probably have some juice right there
on the field. And, you will get low at times, because you
are an insulin dependent diabetic.
It is a consideration.
Originally posted by TShelton
I don't know your situation, but you do absolutely
sound pathetic.
Actually, that attitude, among others is the reason the
other thread was closed,
but as far as I am concerned, I would rather have you
express your true feelings because that is the only way
for us to attempt to arrive at any understanding.
Originally posted by TShelton
Diabetes IS NOT a disease that should hold you back
from what you want to do.
Absolutely. Couldn't agree more.
But if, in an attempt not to be held back, you ignore
the obvious facts which you have to live with, then
it won't be the diabetes that is holding you back.
It will be you !
Originally posted by TShelton
You really think that in the middlle of a 5 minute foot chase,
my blood sugar will drop enough to affect me?
In a word, Yes.
Originally posted by TShelton
Come on now, how much do you really know about this disease?
The situations you presented were rediculous,
and would not happen if you had your diabetes under control.So
welcome back to the discussion people.
The situations I presented were as real as they get.
They may not be what you want to hear,
but they are the truth.
Take a look at the other thread. I think Angie expressed
my thoughts a little more diplomatically that I might be
inclined to do. She has been where you want to go.
A paramedic is in much the same situation with regard
to a changing schedule on a moment's notice.

The only thing I would add to what she said, and
what I said in those comments, is that although you
may be able to do all that right now, as the years pass,
you are only going to get older. You might develop
problems related to control issues that you do not
have right now. No one can say when that will happen,
or if it will happen, or if it will be severe enough
to keep you from doing what many diabetics would be kept
from doing. But even now, when you are at the height of
your physical stamina, if you don't know that a five minute
chase could make you low, and that being low, even
slightly low, could make a difference, then you are
the one who has got a lot to learn.
Furthermore, you are ignoring the issue about
an emergency call preventing your ability to
eat a meal on time. What then?

These issues do matter, considerably, and they will
prevent you from having a winning situation.
Quite frankly, they will also prevent you from
getting hired. If you can't see the issues, others can.

You can have a win-win situation, but not as a
fireman, a paramedic, a policeman, or a GI-Joe.
Being a Diabetic Detective may appeal to you,
but it would be putting the lives of other people
at risk, and that is not being a caring person.
There are a lot of options out there, but
risking the lives of other people are not some of them.
For whatever it is worth, these are just more of the
same comments in another thread:
--->http://www.diabetesforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1142
;)

[TShelton]

I am sorry for the personal attack. I was a little peeved. However, I do believe that I can and will be a police officer. As I said if over the years I become unable to do what is required, then I will retire on my own. I will not and would never put anyones life in jeopardy just because I want to be a cop. So thanks for your comments, but I respectfully disagree.

[DeusXM]

I'd heartily dispute that you can't have a win-win situation as a fireman, paramedic, or a policeman. I've already pointed out several links to individuals with T1 who work in such careers and have successfully demonstrated that they are quite capable of such jobs. I'm not disputing the fact that obviously, if you have diabetes, it's going to be a little harder than if you don't, but I still don't see why you should just give up and not even bother trying.

Admittedly, TShelton does NOT know whether or not he is suitable to be a police officer, by virtue of the fact that no-one can truly know until they've applied and got the job. For all any of us know, he might make a **** fine officer, or, as the case may be, he might not. But this is merely the same kind of risk everyone, regardless of whether they have diabetes or not, has to face every day. There are literally hundreds of things everyone has to look at and think 'can I do this?' To take a really insignificant event, I've got exams coming up soon. I can't know for sure that I'm going to pass (since I lack psychic ability), but that doesn't mean I'm just not going to bother just because I can't guarantee the end result.

Whilst the matter at stake here is obviously a bit more important, the principle is still the same. TShelton thinks he stands a pretty good chance of being a good officer. He doesn't know for certain yet. Should he therefore give up just because there is that small area of doubt? Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Some people might be perfectly happy just to stay at home and never rock the boat, and that's fine; if they're happy, screw what anyone else thinks. I however am terribly aware of my own mortality and the basic premise that my life has been completely f***ed up through no fault of my own, so I'm going to fight as hard as I can to try and get the most out of my decidedly limited life before it's too late. I can't help but see some of that spirit in TShelton, and whilst people are right to exercise caution and provide warnings as to what he is to face, I think it's also right that he should be encouraged for trying to take up what is ultimately a noble, responsible and thankless job, and for taking control of his own life and rising above the obstacles he's been faced with.

[TShelton]

All I can say is AWESOME post DeusXM! That is most definitely one of the more intelligent and inspiring posts that I have seen. Keep it up. It's people like you and my own will that keep me fighting. You are correct, I don't know for an absolute certainty that I will make a good officer. I do believe that I will make one though. I guess thats still left to be determined. Thanks again.

[Shalyndria]

Oh boy this sounds like a case of discrimination to me.

So if CHF or heart disease or something along those lines is predominant in your genes, does that mean that you shouldn't be allowed to have a career in law enforcement etc. because uh oh one day you may be chasing down the bad guy and the old ticker conks out on you?

I hold the highest CPR/First Aid certificate available (emerg and level C here in Canada) because I work in the healthcare field. Now, should they perhaps not have allowed me to be certified, just in case something should happen and the adrenaline is pumping and someone is lying on the floor dying and I go hypo?

You'll have to excuse my sarcasm; I'm the type of girl who has no time for "wouldn't, shouldn't, couldn't's". If you want this, Tshelton, I say go get it. As long as you are willing to commit to work at your health, as it sounds to me, then there shouldn't be any issues. And keep your chin up; skeptics will always abound!
:)
Shy

[mg_2204]

... Just a thought here... I hear we'd be surprised to know how many healthcare professionals are drug users. You could even find yourself under the scalpel while your doc is high. Or while he or she is prescribing meds to you. Happened before. Now *T*H*A*T* is scary.

And I guess if a diabetic would experience lots of lows and/or hypos, that person would be responsible and mature enough to find another job that wouldn't jeopardize other people's safety.

Marie
:)

[TShelton]

And what if a diabetic VERY RARELY experiences low blood sugars? And what if these low blood sugars come in the middle of sleeping? Just because you are a diabetic, does not automatically mean you are destined to have low blood sugars multiple times each day. It could happen. But as I have said before, only if you are not in control of your disease.

[mg_2204]

... Is it reasonable to think a person can be in control of a disease? I don't think so. If we could be in control, we'd be able to keep it at bay, we'd be able to do without meds and such. The disease is there, always. Anyway. I guess some diabetic people ARE able to enjoy anything they fancy doing. If they are able to, well why not? I'm not against it. But because no one knows how the disease will progress and how it will affect work etc... it's better to keep an open mind about it. And if and/or when the disease prevents a person to do his/her work to the fullest, I believe it is time to do something else. What do you think?

Marie
:)

[rzrbks]

mg_2204

... Just a thought here... I hear we'd be surprised to know how many healthcare professionals are drug users.


Yeah, look at Shy, she sucking down her drugs 24/7---and is Proud of it :D :D ;)


TShelton,

Go for it Dude, ain't nuthin' to fear but fear itself--to coin a phrase

just like one of your soccer games, give it your best shot and what happens, happens

[mg_2204]

... Shy?!?? Who is she?

Marie

[Shalyndria]

rzr,
LOL!! That's me, proud to be a druggie! And a dealer if we get technical, what with my golden key to a room full of drugs...
Hehehe :p :D :cool:

Shy

[mg_2204]

...Oh!!!!!

;)

[DeusXM]

And it's FOOTBALL, not 'soccer' ******! :)

[rzrbks]

DeusXM

And it's FOOTBALL, not 'soccer' ******!

Deus,
I most humbly apologize. :o

[mg_2204]

... I prefer the word football too. Soccer I pronounce 'sucker' anyway. ;)

Marie
:)

[notme]

Uh.....it is actually futbol. :whistling LOL sorry couldn't help myself!

Nancy

[mg_2204]

... nah! Foot-bowl ;)

[Jon]

You mean the football you play with your feet, as opposed to American football that is played more with your hands. (Why isn't it called handball?)

[mg_2204]

... footie (soccer) and football (the American one) ;)

[TShelton]

Yeah I agree with the whole football term. I just thought I'd say soccer for all those not quite global Americans out there.

[jen18]

Are you being serious Shy? And if you are what kind of drugs?

[rzrbks]

jen18

Are you being serious Shy? And if you are what kind of drugs?

Was just me being funny.:D Drug she's sucking down 24/7 is insulin. Plus her job at the time had to do with Health Care.


Geez, I'd forgotten about that row, and WW was still around then too.

[mg_2204]

... my drug is coffee. Plug me straight in! ;)

[Brent44a]

Right on, Marie! I have been truly blessed and am truthfully thankful for everything I have been given, but a Starbucks close by would really be something! Now that is progress:)

[archimeech]

American Football should be called "beat the **** out of the one with the ball" I have never understood the game fully, but then I don't care for boxing either. While I give the athletes all the credit in the world for stamina, endurance, and the ability to be bludgeoned play by play and still get up, I think it's not that much of a sport.
Then again, I always did love true football more. I played for the Varsity Team at my high school, starting when I was actually in middle school(7th grade). Stop and start games are OK, but try running a 100+ meter field for 2 hours straight. That's endurance...

[Brent44a]

When the University's of Georgia or Alabama lose, I don't care much for football. Now when Tennessee loses, that's a different story!