When Type 1 diabetes is the perfect excuse

Because there has to be positive aspects to diabetes, people with diabetes can sometimes use it as an excuse to avoid what they don’t want to do. Yes, sometimes it is a good excuse! Out of laziness or just because you don’t feel like it, here’s how Type 1 diabetes has saved you from certain situations. 

Skipping classes for teenagers, getting out of meetings for adults…

Sports classes are generally not what teens prefer in junior high or high school. “If I play rugby, it’s going to tear my diabetes devices off!” or simply, “As soon as I play sports, I have a low!” Thanks to diabetes for getting Adélie, Roxanne and Enora out of a few classes. It became a little more embarrassing when Aurélie’s gym teacher went one step further and consulted a doctor to learn how to manage her student’s Type 1 diabetes and possible hypos.

Using diabetes as an excuse also works to dodge exams. This was the case with maths and Spanish tests for Delphine, who skipped breakfast on purpose before them. But she confessed to everything a few years later. Sady, Cindy and JC went straight to the school nurse to eat sweets and avoid subjects they hated. 

Farewell to preconceived ideas! Parents also sometimes use diabetes as an excuse. For the mom of a child living with Type 1 diabetes: “my child may ask not to go to the pool because without me it is not possible to properly manage his diabetes when swimming”. This is the case for Gwen’s son.

In college, Enora was able to get someone to take notes for her via the office of disability services. And that’s how T1D allowed her to avoid as many lectures as possible, but in most cases they are not mandatory anyway.

“Hello, boss? I’ll be a little late this morning, I had a hypo, it took me a little while to get my sugar back up!” It’s the equivalent of the alarm clock failure for people with Type 1 diabetes!

“Hello? Yes, uh… Start the meeting without me, I need to treat a low and manage my diabetes a bit. I’ll be there as soon as I can!” and voilà! you got out of the boring meeting! 

Avoiding dinners and/or family gatherings 

When it’s cold, when it rains, you’re much better off under your blanket than out with your friends. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t feeling very well all day, I think I should rest and postpone our evening out. You don’t mind?” Vanessa and Claire are very good at it.

There are also the meals and days that drag on; when the hosts extend the invitation and offer you stay for dinner. “It would be a pleasure, but I haven’t brought what I need to manage my diabetes.” Diana and Sadjia know all about this.  

And also when you’re late… “Sorry for being late. My blood sugar was running low so I had to eat a little and rest before leaving.” It works every time for Marie-Jo.

Eating what you want 

When you’re a picky eater, it’s handy to be able to say that you can’t eat something because it’s not good for your blood sugar balance. Suddenly we’ve forgotten all about functional insulin therapy. Isn’t that right Gladys?

Melon at the beginning of a meal? No thanks. It’s not going to go well with the carbohydrate intake of the meal. Right Marie? 

Getting out of delicate or uncomfortable situations

Type 1 diabetes is an excuse for anything and everything! You name it. 

Estelle: “One day, my father came to pick me up at school for lunch on a Wednesday. As usual, he was driving a bit fast on a country road when a policeman stopped us. My father was having a hard time staying calm. So I took out my best studio acting and said in a feverish voice: “Dad, Dad! I’m having a hypoglycemia, quick!” The policeman understood that I was diabetic and let us go.

Maya: “Once at camp, I didn’t want to walk anymore so I faked low blood sugar and the counselor carried me on his back all the way back to camp.”

Amandine: “When I was a teenager, my parents were always very worried when I wanted to go out. They would ask me to test my blood sugar to allow me to leave. When I knew the result wouldn’t be good, I would use the test drop bottles from my meter. Perfect blood glucose, no one saw or knew anything!”

Domitille: “One day, my sister took my phone. She can’t stand it when we have our phones at the table. So I took the liberty of answering her that I needed it because my app is on it! Thank you, continuous glucose meter!”

Some T1Ds have a lot of imagination ?