[lindabelle]

I am just wondering how does diabetes effect your work or does everyone/anyone know in your work environment? Did you ever let diabetes talk you out of things in life? For example a certain profession , continued education ,etc?

[Gangrel]

Well, being diabetic since I was 7 meant i never got to seriously consider a profession I am not allowed to be in.

As a kid I did enterain the thought of being an Astronaut or Firefighter, or a pilot in the Air Force though. But, those got thrown out the window! I will admit to be seriously sad about the fire fighting, as I still can get misty watching a truck go down the road......

But as for where I am at now, and what I've done, diabetes doesn't really affect me in my cushy office job, lol. Sometimes I'll be hypo and need to eat and not do any work, and stuff like that.

I've also taken a few days off sick time after sleepless nights of hypoing or yo-yoing..... but nothing major.

[soso]

it can be a bit rocky for me sometimes at work, if I have clients and am rushing around, plus doing a lot of lifting and carrying.. I sometimes have to eat something quick and then just carry on and pretend i am feeling normal.. I must look a bit wierd sometimes... they prolly put it down to artistic temperament..lol...
I would like to do the West Coast Trail sometime, but have serious concerns with regard to my blood sugar management ... I haven't ruled it out yet, but before dx I wold not have hesitated,,,
ss

[belyro]

I'm really not a risk-taker, and a lot of the pilot/firefighter/etc. jobs out there are more risky than I'd like. I prefer to be safe and boring in my office job.

That said, growing up, two things I loved to do were act and dance. (Unfortunately singing isn't my thing.) I lived in a relatively small town, though, and we never had good acting/dancing lessons available so even though I took some lessons when I was older, I never really got the training at a young enough age to try making anything of it. I sometimes wonder today, though, whether I could have made it in one of those professions with the right training.....and I always come back to "I don't know...it would be so hard with diabetes". That's definitely not to say that it can't be done, but I have to admit that it's affected my views on whether or not those jobs would have even been an option for me. In reality, though, there are a lot of other things about those jobs that make them a bad suit for me too - in addition to the extremely significant lack of training.

[xMenace]

Originally Posted by belyro

I'm really not a risk-taker, and a lot of the pilot/firefighter/etc. jobs out there are more risky than I'd like. I prefer to be safe and boring in my office job.

That said, growing up, two things I loved to do were act and dance. (Unfortunately singing isn't my thing.) I lived in a relatively small town, though, and we never had good acting/dancing lessons available so even though I took some lessons when I was older, I never really got the training at a young enough age to try making anything of it. I sometimes wonder today, though, whether I could have made it in one of those professions with the right training.....and I always come back to "I don't know...it would be so hard with diabetes". That's definitely not to say that it can't be done, but I have to admit that it's affected my views on whether or not those jobs would have even been an option for me. In reality, though, there are a lot of other things about those jobs that make them a bad suit for me too - in addition to the extremely significant lack of training.

For some reason I had you pegged as a hunting guide

I am an accountant/computer programmer. I rely on my eyes. I don't know what I'll do if/when my vision gets too bad. Can I sign any of you up for insurance over the phone ahead of time?

[dar917]

I'm a musician, I just have to watch a bit more closely when I'm doing a show or something. I haven't had it long enough to really see how it affects it yet though.

[lindabelle]

Well, Im going to school for dental hygiene and honestly I haven't done alot of things because diabetes. Sometimes I think what ifs. Only because Im diabetic. What if I cant keep my hands still because Im low? Things I know are avoidable. especially with a pump and control. I guess I didnt grow up being told I can do anything dispite diabetes. When I was growing up I thought dyalisis and kidney failure were inevitable and right around the corner. Which in turn I guess made me think I couldnt do much in life and is a really bad thought from the time your little. Well thats silly isnt it! I have even asked my hubb what if I get sick , develop medical issues and cant pay off all my loans? Stupid things like that then I have to remind myself you cant stop living because of stupid worries and things you can't predict.
Sorry It sounds like Im being a downer!!! I dont mean to! I"m really am not a depressed person.

[peej07]

As I've gotten older with more issues it has dictated to some degree my work choices. First off now my employeer must offer good health insurance. I chose my current job as a web designer for VW of America because of the freedom it offers me for Dr apts.

[RobiJo]

I'm a teacher and have always wanted to be one. Only time I'm bothered is when I'm low. Dealing with 27 6 year olds and a low at the same time is not fun. I got very concerned with how long I'll be able to teach after my eye problems last year, but now things are looking up with that. We'll see how the driving gets as it gets darker in the mornings.

Going to D camp as a child really impacted me and reinforced to me that I wanted to work with kids. Ironically, all the non-medical staff at the camp I work for has become teachers.

[notme]

I wanted to scuba dive in Hawaii and I had a hard time finding a dive master to take me out. I did finally get to go, but I had to sign a waver. I didn't tell when I went to Turk Caicos. They never would have taken me.

I was turned down for a police dispatching job in my early years because it was a night position with only one dispatcher. I was mad at the time, but ended up with a job I liked (probably) better anyhow.

I don't let diabetes stop me from doing much. I have had a few battles or hid the fact I had diabetes a couple of times.

[blue_eyed_devil]

it influenced my choice of profession for sure. i had sooo many **** expereiences with nurses judging me and treating me very poory i decided to become one - only to find out i can't seem to make a difference, as many of the pt's i have don't want to take control of their conditions (any condition, not just diabetes). it's very disheartening.

also i now work eveyday with a bunch of people who "know more about diabetes than i do" and watch every single piece of food i look at, let alone eat... and all stare at my bg meter everytime i test... grrr!!!

diabetes has not effected my ability to learn or made me believe i can't proceed with what i want, however i did use it as an excuse throughout high school hence why i have no formal education from high school...

and i intend to go to med school, so stop me? not at all.

[grace girl]

I was a grown woman when I was dx'ed, and I was already doing the same things I'm doing now...I homeschool my kids, and I'm an artist. The only thing it has stopped me from is this: our church youth group is going on a missions trip to Trinidad next summer. I opted out because, though I wouldn't hesitate to travel to a foreign country with D, I don't want to do that while being responsible for 20-30 children who aren't my own. I imagine there are many here who wouldn't agree with me on this, but I take being responsible for other people's children very seriously.

[JediSkipdogg]

Diabetes has never stopped me.

My current job is a police dispatcher. Sometimes I'm the only dispatcher working since we are a small department. On the weekends, I may be the only one in the entire police department. When I was hired I let them know during the interview that I was diabetes and that I wouldn't have any problems doing the job. Heck, at the same time I was applying for my job I applied as a police officer to alot of other departments. The diabetes never got in the way, just the fact that I couldn't run 1.5 miles in 12 minutes that did or that I didn't have past experience (police or military.)

I also rock climb, although it's been a while, and I've never let diabetes affect me then. Heck, I'd love to climb to the top of Everest or K2 if I could 1) find the team to do it with 2) find the time to take off work and money to fund it 3) figure out how to do it with an insulin pump that wouldn't freeze the insulin.

Diabetes never stops me and I have no problem letting people know before I do something that I'm diabetic. That's mainly in case something does happen that they know when they call 911.

[xMenace]

I can't do dishes.

[soso]

Originally Posted by xMenace

I can't do dishes.

LOL....

good idea...I can't vacuum....

ss