Is there any job a type 1 diabetic can't do?

[sickmumma]

Perhaps overthinking this as my son is only 6 but he wants to be a pilot when he's older, however he is also type 1 diabetic. I've just been looking online and seen a new law has just been granted so that type 1's can now fly commercial flights provided they have good control. However he would not be able to join the RAF as a blanket rule which I understand to a point e.g if deployed access to medicine etc I am sure would be compromised.

Having two type 1 children I just wondered if there is anything they will not be able to do.. DS8 years wants to be a footballer so perhaps not the most realistic however thinking about it I have not heard of any type 1 players. And it for me into thinking where it will hold them back, for example some jobs probably won't be suited.

I'm pretty sure that all armed services are out. Apart from that I think with the improvements in control like pumps and constant glucose monitoring a lot of barriers starting to evaporate.

Also, with football Spain's Nacho Fernandez who scored goal at the world cup is T1.

Also, heres a Telegraph article about other T1 athletes - www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/the-athletes-who-have-triumphed-over-type-1-diabetes/

Thanks fantail! I am hoping in 10 years time things will be completely different for the boys anyway like you said with the CGM and pumps things are already completely different to how things were for my Mum growing up and technology seems to be improving everyday!

Ah, I was just going to say that Gary Mabbutt who used to play for Spurs has T1.

Tbh, OP, I wouldn't put a dampener on any of their ambitions just yet. Who knows what will happen in the future? The technology that they're coming up with to treat diabetes is changing all the time. My DD was diagnosed when she was 2 and I've already seen so many changes (she's now 10).

And don't forget, love her or loathe her, the person with the number one job in the country (Theresa May) has Type 1.

I don’t think you can be a paramedic or fire fighter. Don’t think you can join the police force as a regular police officer anyway.
Pretty sure most driving type jobs are out.
My dad is t1 and has a private pilot licence but has to jump through a billion hoops to get it so I can’t see it ever being viable to be an airline pilot, although in the states things are different, despite the change in the law.

I’m t1 and I guess in practice it holds me back because stress effects my sugars so badly so I struggle with a demanding stressful job and then being up for hours at night with my sugars but my sugars have become very brittle since having my daughter so I know it isn’t the same for everyone.

Air traffic controller.

Yes you can have a driving job and be type 1. I have heard a speech from a extreme athlete who was type 1 and did trialathalons and snowboarding. It’s a lot different now and the key is about maintaining good control. Lots of new research coming out all the time and new medical devices too. X

Not the same thing but my ds is colour blond (as are 10% of males in the UK) and there are quite a few jobs he can't do such as be a commercial pilot, an anaesthetist, an electrician etc. I didn't make a big deal of this when he was younger, and luckily he hasn't chosen any of those professions for his future career!

Couldn't work on an oil rig not sure if that's now changed.

Tbh I wouldn't want to get in a plane with a type 1 pilot!

The type one pilots I heard speak at a “flying with diabetes day “at Ducksford were amazing . I would happily fly with any of them

It fascinates me that we can't be pilots etc but that we could be brain surgeons Persoanlly I think it's unfair that any jobs are out if you're well controlled

Chris Waddle another Diabetic footballer

Steve Redgrave diabetic multi olympic medals..

I dont think you can join the army....not sure if all parts but again i guess operationally could be tricky ...

I do think though pumps will be massively better by the time they are of an age !

My friend only found out he was diabetic in a medical for a pilots job. He was turned down for it. This was around 10yrs ago though. So good to see they have relaxed the rules now. He went on to be a train driver. So obviously thats deemed ok. He is very well managed and has a pump. So imagine it is also dependant on that.

Thanks everyone for your insight! Like you have all said I am sure by the time DS's are ready for work technology will greatly change things for them anyway! They are already pretty well managed and it doesn't stop them doing anything they want to at the moment but I guess as a parent you want the best for your child and it is sad to think it could possibly hold them back and peoples attitudes towards them in the working environment!