This is a word I have struggled with for some time now. I am having difficulty deciding if I like the word and if I want to use the word. During my past 3 years of being a 'diabetic' I have tried to stay as far away from the word as possible. I think I have finally come up with a consensus. There are different ways to use the word:
- (noun) A person affected with diabetes
- Joe cannot eat sugar because he is a diabetic
- (adjective) Of, relating to, having, or resulting from diabetes
- Diabetic coma
I do not like when the word is used to describe a person. It could be used as a noun, he is a diabetic, or an adjective, I have a diabetic friend. I do not use the word in this manner because I want to describe the person before the disease. It is not an autistic child, but a child with autism. Nor a disabled person, but a person with a disability.
We need to start looking at the person instead of the disability. I have diabetes and it is a part of me, but it does not define me. Therefore I am not a diabetic, but a person with diabetes. Think about how you use the word.
7 comments:
I hear you, but I think you're missing one aspect of using 'diabetic' instead of 'person with diabetes': tone.
If I'm talking to a friend or someone casually then saying "I'm Diabetic" is something I don't necessarily have a problem with. If it's used in a tone meant to put me down or lessen my value (to whatever) then I have a problem with it.
Like I said, I understand and totally agree that I am not my disease. But tone/intent should not be discounted or ignored in speech. Yes I'm Diabetic, but that's not the beginning or the end of the story.
Keep fighting the good fight.
I can accept people saying "Jenny is diabetic-". or; "...he's been diabetic for XXX Years...". I cannot get around someone being "A Diabetic" as if it is our race or gender.
I am diabetic. I feel I would only be "A diabetic" if I were from the planet 'diabetes'.
That "A" makes a lot of difference.
This is a valuable post. That you and those leaving comments for sharing your perspectives.
Thank you for your comments they are right on.
Tone definitely needs to be addressed in the issue. The word diabetic can be almost always used appropriately as an adjective ("I am diabetic"), unless a negative tone is added.
I completely agree that the 'a' changes it all. The letter a changes the function of the word. When I say "I am a diabetic" the word diabetic is being used as a noun. When I say "I am diabetic" the word diabetic is being used as an adjective. In the first sentence the focus goes to the word diabetic because it defines me. In the second sentence the focus goes to me because the word diabetic only describes me.
Thanks again for your thoughts.
Stephen
Great post! I was diagnosed T1 at age 5, which makes almost 15 years ago now... This word is something I definitely struggle with too! I hate being referred to as diabetic! I am not diabetes, I do have it and it has shaped a lot of my life and does explain a lot about me, but I am not my disease... I am a person! Please recognize me!
I am currently in nursing school and this is something I come across all the time! I am always hearing "oh I'm caring for the diabetic in room 12..." and so on and I am constantly battling this...
It may not change overnight, but if we never try to change it the change will never occur! So try is what I do every day!
Hi Steven,
I have been a diabetes counselor and certified diabetes educator in Raleigh for 19 years. I do not have diabetes. But you should know that our profession has fought against the use of that word since our inception. I ask people "do you call a friend with cancer a 'canceric'?"
If you ever need to ask a question or need the newest word on a drug or diabetes supply- stop by our office or call. We are near Duke Health Raleigh Hospital. Maybe you would like to bring your family and friends to our Day at the Farm for diabetes event in October-our new website launches this week! thediabetesbus.org
Take Care
Kim Hanchette, MEd, CDE Founder, The Diabetes Bus Initiative
Diabetes Management Solutions
Kim,
Please keep me in the loop about the diabetes bus. I would love to come to your event, or volunteer to help you out. you can contact me here:
http://www.diabetescarenc.com/contact
-Stephen
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