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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU diabetes not a big deal

167 replies

Fluffyscrubberdo · 26/07/2026 08:08

Does anyone else have a child with type 1 diabetes and get annoyed at the people who don’t have it but maybe know an adult with it and therefore insist on always claiming it’s really no big deal to manage only based on their very vague connection to it??

It also enrages me that so many people don’t understand the difference between type 1 and 2 and still try to claim a toddler has it due to diet.

Do you have a dependent child with type 1 and think it’s no big deal and makes no difference to your life??

OP posts:
Original poster
Fluffyscrubberdo · 26/07/2026 08:33

ZenNudist · 26/07/2026 08:31

If I hadn't seen FIL and what he went through I would not have appreciated that diabetes has a huge impact on your life. You think medicine will sort it not appreciating how hard it can be to manage that for a toddler.

When can she have a pump? Is that not til she's an adult?

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There’s a few markers that need to be hit first in our area before you can go on the waiting list and then it’s around 12months.
So soonish, but still quite a long time on injections until then!

OP posts:
Caramac045 · 26/07/2026 08:33

Of course it’s a big deal! Life revolves around maintaining blood glucose through eating and medication which can all be effected by exercise, illness, temperature and stress. It’s a fine balancing act and relentless. I don’t think a parent fully relaxes if their child is T1.
Even at night, sleeping, there is a chance of a serious low blood sugar episode.
You are right that T1 is never caused by poor diet but a bit unreasonable to say that T2 is.
Yes for some that is true, particularly if they are obese but there are other factors including genetics.
I’ve been T2 for over 20 years. I’ve never been obese and have always exercised and eaten reasonably healthily- more so since diagnosis.
I am in my 60’s, weigh under 60kg and a size 10/12.
Both my parents were T2 as are two siblings.

ZenNudist · 26/07/2026 08:31

Fluffyscrubberdo · 26/07/2026 08:27

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect close friends and family to not dismiss a child’s very obvious needs.

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If I hadn't seen FIL and what he went through I would not have appreciated that diabetes has a huge impact on your life. You think medicine will sort it not appreciating how hard it can be to manage that for a toddler.

When can she have a pump? Is that not til she's an adult?

Original poster
Fluffyscrubberdo · 26/07/2026 08:30

Eggyleggy · 26/07/2026 08:24

I used to look after a young girls with diabetes in a holiday club type setting. My boss was so dismissive and always made out the parents we making a big fuss. Then one day the girl had a hypo in front of my boss and I thinknit finally clicked.

Oh god it’s really upsetting to hear a childcare provider having that view point. Really makes you question how it will go when she wants to do clubs or needs after school care and the people running the setting don’t want to acknowledge her medical needs.

OP posts:
PinkCatCushion · 26/07/2026 08:30

It’s a massive deal.
Some people are just massively unreasonable.
Some may be misguided and trying to make you feel better.
Some people are misinformed/ignorant.

ShetlandishMum · 26/07/2026 08:29

Fluffyscrubberdo · 26/07/2026 08:27

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect close friends and family to not dismiss a child’s very obvious needs.

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No. I agree but most people with chronic illnesses receive this treatment.

Topjoe19 · 26/07/2026 08:28

Some people are incredibly ignorant. It is a huge deal!

Original poster
Fluffyscrubberdo · 26/07/2026 08:27

ShetlandishMum · 26/07/2026 08:24

Don't expect people to think about understand your child's needs. Most won't.

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I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect close friends and family to not dismiss a child’s very obvious needs.

OP posts:
ZenNudist · 26/07/2026 08:27

ShetlandishMum · 26/07/2026 08:20

It is but don't expect other people to engage with it.

This.

My type 1 friend had a heart attack at 40.

Tbh if anyone has an older family member with type 1 they should see first hand the problems it causes. My FIL had it and it had a quadruple bypass at 60. I also witnessed the hypos and high blood sugar episodes. And the testing. And the diet choices and the trying to sort medicines. It's hard. But you just get on with it.

Original poster
Fluffyscrubberdo · 26/07/2026 08:26

Bogstandardname · 26/07/2026 08:22

It must be so difficult with a toddler. People think you just give yourself a injection and everything is fine. My God, if only they knew!

Yeah, firstly multiple injections with a not yet 2 year old is already a big deal. Then the constant blood sugar checking all day, weighing her food, not being able to have food when out at a playgroup, the calculations, always watching for symptoms as she’s on the cusp of a hypo when out and about playing, setting an alarm in the night to check her levels, waking up to treat in the night.

Perhaps people naively think they’re being helpful telling me it’s no big deal and won’t affect her life but considering how we’re living right now it almost feels like I’m constantly being gaslit!

OP posts:
Eggyleggy · 26/07/2026 08:24

I used to look after a young girls with diabetes in a holiday club type setting. My boss was so dismissive and always made out the parents we making a big fuss. Then one day the girl had a hypo in front of my boss and I thinknit finally clicked.

ShetlandishMum · 26/07/2026 08:24

Fluffyscrubberdo · 26/07/2026 08:22

Not really sure what you mean by that?

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Don't expect people to think about understand your child's needs. Most won't.

x2boys · 26/07/2026 08:22

My son has type3c diabetes but treated as type1 he was diagnosed in DKA so i know how serious it is
Theres a lot of misinformation about Diabetes .

Bogstandardname · 26/07/2026 08:22

It must be so difficult with a toddler. People think you just give yourself a injection and everything is fine. My God, if only they knew!

Original poster
Fluffyscrubberdo · 26/07/2026 08:22

ShetlandishMum · 26/07/2026 08:20

It is but don't expect other people to engage with it.

Not really sure what you mean by that?

OP posts:
ShetlandishMum · 26/07/2026 08:20

It is but don't expect other people to engage with it.

Bogstandardname · 26/07/2026 08:19

It is a massive deal! My son was 13 when he became type 1. It has affected every area of his life He is 50 now. He has to live with us since his marriage broke down because he has hypos in his sleep and goes into a coma. He would just pass away without assistance. Then there is the kidney damage, the neuropathy. He has broken bones in his feet without realising and has to wear special boots. He struggles to maintain his blood sugars to a decent level despite trying very hard to do so. It has prevented him from doing the job he so wanted which was a fire fighter. This disease is dreadful, it has ruined his life. Getting proper care is not easy. Lots of promises made by NHS but all broken. It breaks my heart