Well, I don't know what the general consensus is, but here's my opinion:
yes.
I think that diabetes should be considered a disability, absolutely.
This might sound weird, I know. Why would I actually WANT to have an illness that is considered a disability?
Honestly, it has nothing to do with being angry about having diabetes or feeling sorry for myself. Nor is it a matter of pride.
I'm not saying it because I hope to get special treatment, or perks for having a serious - or at least potentially serious - medical condition.
It's just, what irks me is that many people would write off diabetes type 1 as a non-disability out of ignorance.
Out of this ignorance they have no idea what Type 1 diabetics have to go through on a daily basis, the complications that can inevitably arise simply for having diabetes, and the consequences of what would happen if diabetes was not treated properly. Diabetes is a lifelong condition, and it does have restrictions. I cannot enter the services, I cannot drive a public bus, and there are some careers that I would be restricted from entering or would not be suitable for me to pursue. I need to take breaks from my schedule to check my blood sugar, eat, give insulin injections, etc.
Doctors honestly don't know why a person gets Type 1 - but it is generally agreed that it is not because of lifestyle, as is usually the case with Type II. Yet Diabetics type 1 are pooled with the high-risk groups in insurance companies as if it were a punishment; as if it WERE their fault that they got Type 1. This is ridiculous! Type 1 diabetics can help becoming diabetic no more than cancer patients can help getting cancer. (Note: I'm drawing a line between getting cancer and sitting in a tanning bed every day.) I understand, yes, insurance companies are a business, and it isn't very good business sense to insure a diabetic. But charging me three times as much as a normal person? That's not even reasonable. That's more than it would cost to buy the insulin myself from Canada. Really?
Back to disabilities.
A disability is defined in the dictionary as:
a. The condition of being disabled; incapacity. Something that disables; handicap.
b. Something that hinders or incapacitates.
c. A disadvantage or deficiency, especially a physical or mental impairment that interferes with or prevents normal achievement in a particular area.
4. The condition of being unable to perform a task or function because of a physical or mental impairment
Diabetes is typically not considered a disability. This is understandable; with insulin, diabetics can pretty much function like normal.
But let's face it - Diabetic Type 1's are COMPLETELY insulin-dependent. Insulin is NOT a cure, it is only a treatment. But without it a diabetic type 1 will die. As of now there is no cure for diabetes - there may never be.
Back to disabilities.
A disability is defined in the dictionary as:
a. The condition of being disabled; incapacity. Something that disables; handicap.
b. Something that hinders or incapacitates.
c. A disadvantage or deficiency, especially a physical or mental impairment that interferes with or prevents normal achievement in a particular area.
4. The condition of being unable to perform a task or function because of a physical or mental impairment
Diabetes is typically not considered a disability. This is understandable; with insulin, diabetics can pretty much function like normal.
But let's face it - Diabetic Type 1's are COMPLETELY insulin-dependent. Insulin is NOT a cure, it is only a treatment. But without it a diabetic type 1 will die. As of now there is no cure for diabetes - there may never be.
A pancreas that does not function is quite the disadvantage, isn't it? Isn't it a deficiency? A vital organ in me is not working properly, if it is even working at all any more.
When I was lying on my bed sick, throwing up every few minutes, unable to keep any food or drinks down, I felt pretty disabled. When I passed out on the floor and had no strength to get up and get back to bed, I was pretty incapacitated. When my legs were turning blue and I had lost so much weight that you could see my ribs, my elbows, my hip bones, when I looked emaciated - that wasn't normal. When I was going into a coma and dying because my blood sugar levels were through the roof, I was restricted from doing much of anything. And you know what? That could happen again, any day, if I were not to take my insulin.
Without insulin, I have a condition that renders me unable to eat without killing myself - unable to perform a task or function because of a physical impairment. A faulty pancreas is, indeed, something that disables, since it will kill you if it goes untreated.
Granted, there is no infallible test to determine disability. There is no golden standard. However, an individual is considered to have a disability if it significantly limits one or more of an individual's major life activity. People tell me diabetes doesn't limit me - well, I'm not trying to gain sympathy or pity for saying this, but it does. Diabetes does limit me - or has the potential to limit me - in several major life activities. Without insulin, I could do nothing.
Without insulin, I have a condition that renders me unable to eat without killing myself - unable to perform a task or function because of a physical impairment. A faulty pancreas is, indeed, something that disables, since it will kill you if it goes untreated.
Granted, there is no infallible test to determine disability. There is no golden standard. However, an individual is considered to have a disability if it significantly limits one or more of an individual's major life activity. People tell me diabetes doesn't limit me - well, I'm not trying to gain sympathy or pity for saying this, but it does. Diabetes does limit me - or has the potential to limit me - in several major life activities. Without insulin, I could do nothing.
Life is usually like normal for me, as long as I remember to bring my little cooler of insulin with me wherever I go, and make sure I never forget it. That little cooler with JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) printed on the side is like a constant reminder of what I now have to live with, telling me, "Hey, remember me? Yeah, I'm your diabetes. Don't eat too many carbs or I might have to kill you. P.S. don't forget to take your insulin injection. Have a nice day!"
Insulin is like the diabetic's version of the wheelchair, and without it we are paralyzed. I think if you are so dependent upon something that you need it to function in normal life and you need it to live, that that's quite a disability.
Perhaps what I'm asking for is simply a little more respect from people and places like insurance companies for what I have. I wish people would stop treating diabetes like it was something that deserved a punishment because it was my fault for getting it. I wish people wouldn't stereotype diabetics, I'd love it if people became more educated before opening their mouths and saying un-educated things.
For some reason lately, this subject has just seemed to rile me up. That's all.
What are your opinions? Do you think that diabetes should be considered a disability, or no? I won't be offended if you disagree or completely bash my opinions - it's expected, I am perfectly capable of agreeing to disagree. So please, feel free to leave your thoughts - simply be respectful when you do. I'd love to hear them all. Thanks!
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