Sky Sports presenter Adam Smithy raises awareness of the impacts of living with diabetes on a day which marks it across the world.Hearing Adam "Smithy" Smith and his interviewees describe the more than one-hundred decisions per day required to manage his disease tracks with my experience; being a diabetic is work! Also, hearing that the United Kingdom considers Type 1 Diabetes to be a hidden disability made me check to see if that's the case here in the U.S. It is, according to the American Diabetes Association.
Is Diabetes a Disability?I've thought so since I've been diagnosed; it's good to see it confirmed.
The short answer is "Yes."People with diabetes of all types are protected as people with qualifying disabilities. But being protected from discrimination does not mean that diabetes has to put the brakes on life! People with diabetes are able to drive race cars, fight fires, play contact sports and generally do whatever they need to follow their dreams.
- Under most laws, diabetes is a protected as a disability.
- Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are protected as disabilities.
- People with diabetes can do any type of job, sport or life goal
Continuing with my personal experience, I have cut the number of times I stick myself with needle in half this year because I now use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), specifically a Dexcom 7. It has made my life easier, although it has replaced some decisions with others, especially when to check my blood glucose. Whenever I get anxious, I can always look at the app on my smartphone to reassure me or help me make the next decision, like what to eat, better. Technology at work!
That's a wrap for today's health holiday. Stay tuned for America Recycles Day.
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