Revamp, Rename or just Remain the same, that is the question?
What is the best and logical next step in getting the word out about type 1 diabetes and STOPPING all the misconceptions.
After all the media blunders surrounding type 1 diabetes these last few days I have been noticing the whispers of change turning into a loud roar across the DOC. But what to do? We need the TRUTH and REALITY about this very serious, very complicated and very under respected disease to take center stage to ensure the education and understanding type 1 diabetes deserves.
As I see it our first issue is that type 1 diabetes is an insanely complicated disease. It is almost impossible to explain the in's and out's in one conversation. With all the Highs, Lows, count this and measure that, then ketones and sick days, Carbohydrates, insulin, good, bad and the down right ugly, numbers, food, sugar...well you get my point. This is one hard disease to understand even for the people that live with it every day of their lives. People are lost, confused and honestly bored by the time it is all said and done.
BUT, that is the reality of Type 1. There is nothing that we can do about it's complexity except continue to educate ourselves, educate our children and educate the masses. The complexity will always be there, it will remain the same but little by little we can begin to unravel it's layers and people will begin to understand it.
The second issue is confusion about Diabetes, oh wait, I mean Juvenile Diabetes, no...no, silly me it's called Type 1 Diabetes...Right? Ya I know, it's type 1 diabetes but you get this point too. What other disease uses 3 completely different names? Did we think the more the merry, not true in this case. The more the more confusing is more like it. It's like a criminal with multiple identities.
We have an identity crisis on our hands people. So what to do about this? Remain the same and hope the general public can figure it out or is it time to Rename? Is this even possible?
Last week THIS ARTICLE, WANTED: A NEW NAME FOR TYPE 1 DIABETES by The Globe and Mail was brought to my attention. It states "As rates of Type 2 diabetes surge, a small but vocal group of people with Type 1 are protesting online about being lumped in with Type 2. Leading the charge is diabetes educator Riva Greenberg of Brooklyn, N.Y., who argues that Type 1 is being eclipsed by Type 2 – and should be renamed." While others such as Dr. Blumber say "Since outdated terms – “juvenile” and “adult-onset” – are still being used inappropriately, Dr. Blumer says, renaming Type 1 would only add to the confusion. “I just think it would be chaos.” Click the link to read the whole article.
So what is it, would a new name help or only add to the already confusing identity crisis that type 1 diabetes is suffering from?
Well, if not a rename what about a revamp. This is something that Houston We Have a Problem is suggesting. Revamp the whole image of type 1 diabetes, one colour, one symbol, one group working together to achieve the same goals. Blue? Grey? ribbon? circle? Check out her post HELP ME! and see what you think.
I understand why the media is misspeaking about type 1diabetes, it does not make it right but I see why it is happening. It is one complex disease, with a few very confusing names and quiet a mix and match of identities. Like I said before "we" GET IT but we need the masses to GET IT because as of right now it is flying right over their heads as high as a T1 with no insulin on board.
SO WHAT WILL IT BE A REVAMP, A RENAME OR REMAIN THE SAME?
7 comments:
I want to revamp it and give it a new name! no ideas on what that would be though or how we could go about doing it.
Love, love, love your spirit girl! AND yes, I think the name perhaps must change or a huge educational campaign to stress the different types...or that there even are different types. I was saddened yesterday that prior the the Ricki fiasco that one of my friends still did not know there are different types and thought Joe's "d" was brought on by diet and activity level. I am in a bit of a funk over the whole deal...but I know we will come up with something.
We have to...for the children and the PWDs in our lives.
Great thought provoking post! I think it has to be a name change! People whom I have spoken to a number of times about the differences in Type 1 and Type 2 still lump them together and buy us sugar free candy! Revamp...Rename...I'm in!
Having lived with T1 for nearly 25 years, I say that we just drop the terms "juvenile" and "adult-onset". They are outdated. And as we are all too aware, more than just kids get T1 (and the kids that do grow up to be adults w/ T1), and children are beginning to be diagnosed with T2. If they'd just drop those terms I think that it would clear up a TON of confusion.
I don't know the answer. I think the reason that T1 isn't seperated is because no one is out there talking about it in the media. We don't have a campaign. We don't make it onto talk shows. JDRF doesn't get out into the media and educate. I think thats unfortunate because they have the "power". I know we cant tell people how to prevent(because there is no such thing in our world) but educating on the signs could save someone from the heartache the family in Lauras video lives with everyday.
amen girl! Something needs to change! Its hard enough being a pancreas..then to have to be pr people too !? We need some help.
I don't know either. What I do know is that Type 1 needs a big campaign...like pink for cancer or what have you. Something big! Something to get the notice of the world!
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