Maybe They Have High Sugar and a Case of the Grumpies

There's this phenomenon that I've noticed since I've been out as a diabetic, especially on message boards and blog comments.

First, for those of you who aren't members of the ever-exclusive Club D, there are the two types I'm sure you've heard of. Type II, the kind I have, is the most common, and generally occurs because the body is resistant to the insulin the pancreas produces, causing it to not use glucose (sugar) efficiently or effectively for energy. The second, Type I (formerly known as Juvenile because it typically comes on before adulthood) is the kind that occurs because the pancreas either doesn't produce insulin or really underproduces it.

So it absolutely goes without saying that it's got to be tougher to have Type I, especially considering the almost certainty of having to take insulin (I caught mine so early I don't even need meds much less to take shots) and liklihood of having the affliction since childhood. Seriously, it has got to suck giant whale cock.

However, there seem to be quite a few people on the internets who claim to be Type I's who are carrying chips the size of Missouri on their insulin dependent shoulders. Somehow because they have suffered more (and I honestly believe that they have...needles and hypoglycemic lows, people) that those of us who have been oh so lucky deserve their ridicule. Even worse? Many heap blame on top of that. I got that personally and saw it aimed at someone else all today.

Because being overweight and certain destructive eating habits have been labeled as risk factors in developing Type II (along with having a baby over 9 pounds and having a diabetic relative, to name a couple of others), it's really easy for a Type I to chastise Type II's for bringing it on themselves. Truthfully, it appears there is no definitive info one way or the other (although consider this: all overweight people are not diabetic and all diabetics are not overweight), but I have to wonder what purpose it serves to go on the attack in such a manner, besides the obvious attempt to soothe one's own wounds while ripping open wounds in another.

Still, as bitter as I feel for being invalidated this way by people who are members of the same community, it doesn't make me less sensitive to where they are coming from. Hell, don't we all do it in some way? Looking at the lives of those around us, feeling superior in the areas we have lucked out, wallowing in the ways our luck has failed us. Humanity is full of some obvious comparisons, and some roadblocks we throw in our own way.

It is natural to feel some anger at some random cyber diabetic because they have it easier than you, right?

Seriously? No. Oh hell no. I don't think one person on this fair planet has it "easy". We all come with our challenges and neuroses and frailties. Flinging shit at some anonymous person online does not make anyone's life or experience better, so get the fuck over it and stop being so petty, trolls everywhere.

What, too far? I sensed that, but am too lazy to hit backspace. Plus telling trolls to get the fuck over it is so lovely and liberating.

It only took 3+ years of blogging for me to have the whole troll experience. I'd be OK to wait another 3 years for the next, but then again, I just gave them some fodder.

Welcome to my Diabetes...my Diabetes BLOG, that is

I'm guessing most of you have come here from my other blog . Of course, that is assuming that there is anyone out there. Anyway, regardless, I'm glad to see you and hope that you find this more entertaining and informative than grating and pathetic.

I am starting this blog because I'm so good at keeping up with my other one.

Yes, I'm full of shit.

At this point, I want to be able to talk about all of the D stuff without boring anyone who doesn't find it interesting. Um, most of the time I bore myself with this stuff. But it's where I am right now.

When I figure out how to set up my profile properly, I will cover all of this stuff official like, but for the moment I will just give you all the heads up. Most people who blog about this sort of thing represent the community well. I have so much respect for all of the bloggers out there who speak so bravely and eloquently about their experience with diabetes, and other chronic illnesses. However, I not only do not claim to represent well, I disavow any attempt to represent at all. I am one diabetic, one who may or may not be like other diabetics. I say inappropriate things using inappropriate words sometimes. My purpose is not to offend anyone, but I won't apologize for telling the truth. That may involve the word fuck and its various dirivitives. You have fair warning.

I am much more than my diabetes. But it is still a very large part of my life, especially given how new I am to it. Maybe this blog will be a fleeting thing, maybe it will turn into an all-consuming obsession.

Here's to hoping it's somewhere in between...