Then read this letter I borrowed from Shamae's blog. It very wonderfully illustrates that stupidity is alive and well. It is a letter written to the editor of her local paper:
On Oct. 3, myself and my girlfriend were eating lunch at Burger King. A family came in and sat across the aisle from us. While the father was ordering food, we were shocked and appalled to see a boy inject himself with whatever medication, in front of God and everybody all while sitting at the table. We found this extremely offensive. That sort of business should be done in private. How about a little respect for those around you. Other than the obvious fact that it's not sanitary for those who use the table next, you have no idea how something like that can affect people. People go through a lot in their life and things like that may bring up certain feelings and memories best forgotten. I would like to thank those that day for totally ruining my meal.
I know... wow, right? Here's my letter to the editor that I sent to the paper in response.
I do not live in your area, but read the letter from the man who was so disturbed by a child giving himself a shot at a restaurant (October 25 edition) with total dismay. My two year old daughter is a Type 1 Diabetic, and we often have to inject her with insulin when we eat out in public. The fact that there are people out there who have nothing better to do than complain about something so minor is very disheartening. Does he not understand that the very thing that disgusts him, we have to do in order to keep our children alive?
This person is in desperate need of a lesson in compassion. Diabetes is already a horrible thing to have to live with, and according to the letter writer, we should make our kids feel further isolated and ashamed by giving them their medication in hiding. Where would he prefer we do it, in the bathroom? And he complains that giving a shot in public is unsanitary.
This letter really illustrates the lack of understanding people have about Type 1 Diabetes. I, for one, applaud this young man for bravely taking care of himself, whenever and wherever he is.
Whew, I feel better now that I've gotten that off my chest. I encourage you to also write a letter to the editor and express how you feel about such ignorance.
Excellent! Love it!!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I don't mind one bit that you posted it! The web is a great way to spread the word and educate! This is what we are doing!
ReplyDeleteI hope it's ok - I am going to post too. I'm sorry but that guy is an idiot! Really - he felt the need to write a letter to the paper about it? I hope the paper publishes all of the letters in response that they are receiving.
ReplyDeleteI get a kick out of how the letter writer says "... in front of God and everybody ..." as if to point out that (his) religious beliefs help make his point stronger merely by mentioning them... Meanwhile he shows that he may also be ignorant that God sees all... I've fought this belief (that we should hide our insulin injections) in person like many of you have, but I usually try to make it a discussion instead of a battle... What I've learned is that there are some out there who have a legitimate fear of blood or needles (& they deserve their respect too!) but most who object have nothing but misinformation & "tradition" to go on...
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