How People React to my Diabetes – Part 1

In high school, after my friend said he didn’t want to watch me change my insulin pump site, he left the room. So, I pull up my shirt to show my stomach, where the new site will be, wipe off the numbing cream, and began injecting myself with a very long thin needle. During the injection process I look up and see my friend peering around the corner, watching me.

It turns out he did want to watch me change my insulin pump site.

Reactions Over the Years

This is just one of the many reactions I have gotten from people when I inject myself, check my blood sugar number, change my insulin pump site, and other things that diabetics do on a regular basis.

Over the 30 years that I have had type 1 diabetes, technology has improved. Today, in 2025, it’s a lot easier to do a lot of these things that don’t show needles, have smaller needles, and make injections/pricks hurt less. That’s great for everyone, especially for people afraid of needles.

I’m Too Afraid of Needles

After watching me prick my finger or inject myself, some people would say, “Oh, I couldn’t do that, I’m afraid of needles.” I’m sure that they are in fact afraid of needles, but if they didn’t inject themselves and check their blood sugar number, they would die. (I know that may sound curt, but sadly it’s true, and I got tired of hearing it. This happened a lot more when I was younger and the needles were more prominent. I’m glad that this reaction has been happening less and less.)

Please, Just Use Your Words

One of the craziest things that someone has done was when I was in high school. I was visiting one of my friends and we were hanging out with her boyfriend at his house. Before I tell you what happened, know that he knew I’m a diabetic. Everyone in the house knew I am diabetic.

I was injecting myself in my arm. When I inject my arm I pinch my arm up against a wall, ledge, table, etc. He noticed what I was doing, walked over to me and at the same time, asked, “What are you doing?”, and grabbed my insulin pen and pulled it out of my arm!

Deer in headlights! What did he just do?! My friend, his girlfriend, jumped up and started yelling at him. During the yelling, I grabbed my insulin pen out of his hand. I got back to injecting myself because I was rudely interrupted the first time. To this day, I don’t understand why he thought that was a good idea. Using his words, and ONLY his words, would have been sufficient. 

Do You Want Some Practice?

Over the years some of my friends and ex-coworkers were in nursing school. Most of them were very curious about watching me inject myself and do anything diabetes related.

If I trusted them enough, I would ask if they wanted to inject me. Most of the time, they would pause, like I asked them something unbelievable. I don’t think any of them had injected anyone at this point, so the pause before their response made sense. They probably also didn’t get people randomly asking them if they wanted to inject people. (Not a common occurrence.)

One coworker took me up on my offer, and she came across very confident before the injection. I explained what she needed to do. That you need to pinch my arm, put the needle in with some force, push the plunger down, and wait a few seconds. (This is a shortened version of what I actually told them. I went into much greater depth to the people going to inject me.) She followed all of my instructions and did a fine job. But, immediately after injecting me and giving me back my insulin pen, she turned around and ran away.

She didn’t actually run, but she walked quickly and purposefully away. I thought it was a weird reaction. She didn’t say anything afterwards, just walked away. And she never brought it up with me again. I don’t know if she ever became a nurse, but I think her first injection affected her somehow.

Oh, You Have Diabetes

One of my favorite responses has been when people ask me what kind of insulin I’m using. Or if I have an insulin pump, or a continuous glucose monitor. It’s because they either have diabetes themselves or have a loved one with diabetes. It’s always nice to meet someone else who understands what it’s like.

These interactions are always positive. Sometimes it turns into a longer conversation about our lives. And sometimes it ends quickly. Either way, I enjoy these interactions.

I’m Not Alone

It’s always nice to meet others who know what it’s like to live and deal with all things diabetes. No matter how many positive, negative, and ridiculous reactions I’ve received because of my diabetes, I know that others have experienced the same.

You can find diabetes support groups in your area, if you are looking for more support. There are many options, but one is outlined in this article, How to Meet People with Type 1 Diabetes in Your Local Community.

Read my disclaimer here.