knowledge, about diabetes, influences the people who have been diagnosed with diabetes for tion and the severity of diabetes affects the probabil …
Scotts letter, February 12, 1999 Dear Ann: Your criticism of people who test their blood and inject insulin in public raised quite a stir among the readers of Diabetes Health, an independent monthly publication about diabetes Although some readers agreed with you, most considered your answer off base I would like to tell you why Diabetes care has improved dramatically in the past two decades In the old days, we took one or two injections of long-acting insulin once or twice a day This low-maintenance routine was convenient, but it did not control the diabetes sufficiently to prevent complications such as blindness and kidney and heart disease These days, diabetes is treated aggressively We have portable blood-testing equipment and rapid-acting insulins We often take four or more injections a day, before each meal and at bedtime Since these insulins work as soon as they are injected, the best time to take the injection is when the plate is in front of us Insulin injections do not have to attract attention There is no need to pull up ones shirt and expose skin We can inject right through clothing, and often, nobody at the table notices Blood testing is more obvious, but it is an
essential part of our basic health care For those who must do eight or 10 tests a day, even the best bathrooms are not sanitary enough Hiding the facts of our health care suggests that we are doing something shameful We need insulin to survive Banishing us to the bathroom undermines efforts to accept our diabetes in a positive, healthy way I hope this gives you a better idea of the concerns and cares of ov 
er 8 million Americans who take insulin — Scott King, publisher and editor in chief, Diabetes Health, San Francisco Here is Anns response : Thank you for a letter that will educate millions of readers, me included Im pleased that you wrote Keep reading for more: From Dublin, Ireland: My daughter is 6 years old and diabetic No way will I give her an injection in a dirty bathroom or make her feel that taking her medication is something to be ashamed of Please tell your readers about the wonderful, courageous children with diabetes who face daily injections, blood tests, restricted diets and the discrimination of adults who dont understand
Original letter November 23, 1998 Dear Ann Landers, I have a relative who has diabetes and must take insulin shots after every meal He makes
quite a production of it, tests his sugar, prepares the injection and injects himself at the table This procedure is done in the home of family members and friends and in restaurants I can handle it, but several others cannot The sight of blood and injections ruins the enjoyment of the meal for those with queasy stomachs This person is extremely sensitive, and his feelings would be crushed if he knew he was offending people Your response in the paper would help make others aware of how this sort of thing affects some of us No name or city, please Dear Mrs Anon: Your point is well taken A person who would inject himself or herself at the dinner table in the presence of others exhibits gross insensitivity and very poor manners Ann Landers
Source:clemson.edu
