Yes…and?

There’s a social media…thing…at the moment: Yes…but*. It’s designed to show the contrast between the glitz and glamour of perfectly curated socials feeds for the reality of life.

In the diabetes world, it’s not new. For years now, many of the chronically online (and the less-chronically online? Chronically less-online? Me?) have pointed out that the shiny Instagrammable version of diabetes isn’t the reality.

In fact, these days, diabetes to me is more ‘Yes…and?’.

I’m exhausted thanks to the relentlessness of diabetes? Yes…and? Of course that’s the case. Diabetes demands so much of us.

I’m over the daily grind of diabetes? Yes…and? What else is to be expected? Diabetes bores the shit out of me.

I’m burnt out thanks to diabetes? Yes…and? Who isn’t? In fact, tell me you’re not burnt out at least some of the time and I want you to speak to me as though I’m five years old and teach me your ways.

I’m standing on a stage giving a talk despite having high glucose levels? Yes…and? Adrenalin, forgetting to bolus, a dodgy pod or infusion set, stress, weather… Didn’t Adam Brown write about the 42 factors that impact glucose levels a decade ago?

I ripped out a sensor on my arm because I walked into a doorframe? Yes…and? I still have no spatial awareness of my body. Or doorframes.

Someone said something stigmatising about diabetes? Yes…and? People are idiots and don’t understand diabetes. (Although I probably will call that rubbish out because people don’t get a free pass to be stigmatising arses.)

Diabetes technology is in equal measure brilliant and imperfect? Yes…and? Two things can be true at the same time.

Some bloke (who doesn’t actually live with diabetes) is being an arsehole to a woman with diabetes who is highly respected and trusted in our community? Yes…and? Bullies in the community have existed forever, and will forever, and misogyny online is sadly alive and well.

I had three hypos before lunch? Yes…and? Sometimes diabetes just chooses violence.

I nailed my time in range yesterday and today it’s rubbish? Yes…and? Yesterday’s diabetes has never accurately predicted today’s diabetes.

I went to Italy for 22 days and packed 10 days of insulin? Yes…and? I’m #NotGoodAtDiabetes and have no idea why I would expect that to change any time soon.

A healthcare professional referred to me as ‘non-compliant’? Yes…and? People continue to confuse judgement for healthcare.

Another miracle cure has appeared in my inbox? Yes…and? Scammers gonna scam.

A diabetes organisation says people with diabetes are at the centre of all they do? Yes…and? Until I see evidence of PWD actually having an ability to influence, holding leadership positions in the organisation and being genuine partners and not props, it’s just tokenism wrapped up in a catchy slogan.

I have diabetes, and I’m kicking goals today? Yes…and? Those things have never been mutually exclusive.

I have diabetes, and I’m struggling today? Yes…and? Those things aren’t mutually exclusive either.

Social media has finally caught on that life isn’t all shiny and perfect? Yes…and? Welcome to diabetes. We’ve kinda known that forever.

Killjoy postscript…!

 *Of course, nothing is really new. Artist Anton Gudim has been creating ‘Yes, but’ cartoons for years now, with far more finesse and creativity than any content creator jumping on the bandwagon.