The Ignorance of Some

There are things in life that I find insulting. Thankfully I can either ignore or roll with it. Well, that’s not quite true either, I obsess about it then I let it go. This one, I’m having trouble letting go of.

The weight loss journey with type 2 diabetes

I started on insulin in January of this year 2021. Even though it was only a small amount at bedtime, I now have 18 lbs to get rid of that won’t move. I’m not naive. I know I could do a better job with my eating. I’m not blaming it all on the insulin. I committed to going back to a weight loss app that I did well with in the past to make some changes and get some online group support.

Reaching out to an online support group

In the 'Welcome', I posted:

"I’m back for a refresher and because I gained a few lbs. Up 18 lbs. Doesn’t sound like a lot but it is to me. Used to weigh 230 lbs. Now 178 lbs. Every lb up is scary. Started insulin in January as well which didn't help getting the 18 lbs off. Neither did COVID. So here I am, I journey again."

Not the response I expected

The response from one community member knocked me on my butt:

"People, STOP BLAMING COVID! Covid didn’t make you eat. As a matter of fact, it should have encouraged you to lose weight because of the danger obesity caused. My sister lost 125 lbs over the last 19 months!! I lost 50 lbs. Insulin is a whole different thing. It can be difficult to understand and deal with its effects. Good luck to you. I’m sorry you have diabetes."

What the f***?!?

Considering my diabetes history

I kept my cool for the moment and responded to the effect that I wasn’t whining about my diabetes so there was no need for her to be ‘sorry’. I also mentioned that I managed the first 8 years of my diabetes without meds, just diet and exercise. Then a small number of meds for the next 8 yrs, and now a small amount of insulin. I said I was proud of how I managed my diabetes for that many years.

Weight and diet-shaming

From there she stated that COVID-19 is the "excuse de jour", called me an "addict", and the real topper: "I don’t feel pity for your diabetes", "don’t blame COVID", and that "you can’t change what you don’t acknowledge".

Again, what the f***!? Pity!? Addict?!

Dealing with diabetes ignorance

I saw RED. I still see red. The absolute ignorance of some astounds me. The self-righteous indignation from someone who knows squat about diabetes is even more astounding. I’m still trying to deal with those offensive, hurtful comments. I now know you can’t educate some because they know more than I do even though I have lived with this disease for 17 years.

I reported the interaction to the managers of the online community. Guess what? No response from them. Nothing like adding insult to injury.

I still believe in online community support but in the future, the righteous better get out of my path. I won’t be so nice next time. I will lose the weight, but it will be on my own because I’m worth it. And I remain proud of how I have handled my diabetes.