Type1 and type 2 diabetes ignorance?

I am a 20 year old who was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at age 10. I also have chronic depression. I was wondering if there were any others out there who have noticed and struggled with a certain ignorance of the general public. I get really down about the way others think that diabetes means that you ate too much sugar and if you excercise and never eat sugar again you will be better. Does anyone know a way to spread juvenile diabetes awareness or a place i can meet other diabetics with type 1 that know my struggle? Please help.

You should be congratulated on how much you care about your condition..i could tell u so many stories of young pts who were is such denial about their diabetes and ended up losing feet and legs, or having such horrible wounds that they ended up getting amputations anyway.
Please go to diabetes.org - American Diabetes Home page and you should be able to be directed to a support group in your area. There is also a forum so that you can discuss issues with other diabetics.
Please stay strong and know that diabetes doesnt mean you cant lead a normal life. This is 2007 and there are now insulin pumps and ways to take insulin without having to stick yourself everyday.
Take care!

Yes, I believe that there is a lot of ignorance and misinformation regarding diabetes in the public. I know this because I am a medical student and because I have a brother and a sister who were diagnosed with Type I diabetes. I have seen some of the comments and attitudes directed towards them and I know how tough it can be.

The problem is that the obesity epidemic has lead to a lot of Type II diabetes in our population, and many of it is diagnosed in young adults and children. It is no longer a disease of the middle-aged. Because of this, only about 1% of individuals with diabetes have Type I, so you are distinctly in the minority.

I am glad that you want to try to combat this misinformation. A great organization is the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. They are great advocates, raising both awareness and money for research of Type I diabetes.

Also, if you believe you have chronic depression, I urge you to speak with your physician for treatment, whether it is counseling or medication.

I'm a type 2 who was formerly depressed. I feel your struggle. I was depressed for 5 years and couldn't figure out why people kept saying, "just snap out of it", "just think pleasant thoughts", or "wanting to die is selfish". That kind of crap.

Dealing with people who have no clue is just a part of life, my young friend. Best way to handle it, is to politely educate those who will listen, and for those that don't... well, you kinda just have to let them wallow in their ignorance.

Probably one of the foremost advocates for type 1s is Allie Beatty. I strongly encourage you to join her in her ambitious drive to educate the world about diabetes in general. She's a type 1 also. She has more knowledge in her fingernail than most health practitioners have on their best day. Visit her site at http://www.alliesvoice.com

If you really want to do some good, join her mailing list. The more people who join, the more her sponsors support her cause.

Check out DLife.com. It's an online community for diabetics of all types and offers support and a place to vent! There are boards and articles for Type 1.

I understand your depression and have found that if I try not to educate everybody about my problems, their ignorance no longer bothers me. It was actually my frustration of trying to explain about diabetes that was making me depressed, not other ppl's unwillingness or inability to understand. I also found that unless diabetes affects someone on a personal level, they will probably remain ignorant about it no matter what you tell them.
Perhaps your depression needs to be addressed as a seperate issue.

I have some lovely friends by e over on http://www.diabetes.about.com who are type 1 for about 40 years or so. Yes, they can talk to you and will advise you.

Also http://www.mendosa.com has a forum for people to visit back and forth.

I believe there is also a forum on Dr Bernstein's website for type 1 people to share their stories. Haven't got that one marked.

I sympathize with you. Even tho I am type 2, people still have no clue as to what causes this disease. Yes, they think it is because I got fat and ate a lot of sugar and didn't mind my diet. But that is just simply not true! I never was fat!! I never ate a lot of sugary foods. And I am a dietician!! My other job doesn't allow for being a couch potato for more than a couple of hours in the evenings either!