You know that old word play about why we should not assume anything? Because ‘assume’ makes an ‘ass’ out of ‘u’ and ‘me’. Yes, it’s lame and I don’t like using ‘u’ for ‘you’ (because I’m a word nerd and don’t do ‘text speak’), but the sentiment is good.

There are so many assumptions that come with diabetes. And almost all of them are destructive.

‘People with diabetes must have eaten too much <insert food/drink type> as a kid.’

‘People get diabetes because they’re fat.’ 

‘People get diabetes because they don’t exercise.’

‘Diabetes means you are sick.’ 

‘People with diabetes could be managing better if they just tried.’

Many of us will have had these sorts of comments made directly at us. Some of us will have heard people say these things. Most of us will have seen these sorts of comment perpetuated in the media and in popular culture anytime diabetes gets a mention.

And they are all wrong.

It’s time that we removed all negative assumptions and replaced it with just this:

Imagine how different things would be if that was the starting point of diabetes discussions. Instead of the judgement and finger pointing that often is associated with a diabetes diagnosis, the first thing that everyone said was ‘And now let’s talk about living well with it.’ Instead of the threats, the attitude was ‘You can thrive with the right treatment’.

Finding out someone has diabetes does not in any way give you a window into their life or an indication into their behaviour. But it does tell you that they have a health condition that requires regular management and the best possible treatment.

Imagine how much easier life with diabetes would be – and how much kinder the conversation would sound – if the next time we told someone we have diabetes, the only thing we heard was ‘Are you getting the healthcare and treatment you need?’

Wouldn’t that be a great place to start the conversation?