T1D in TV & Film

A big part of type 1 awareness is educating on the difference of type 1 and type 2.  Both labeled diabetes but each its own and unique diagnosis.  Some commonalities, but more differences.  We focus on type 1 because that is what we know.  That is what we have experience with.  We call it type 1 and to us we do not know much about type 2, at least not enough to speak as if we are experts.  We can call out differences between type 1 and type 2 but we don't know the slightest about type 2 treatment and don't try and push information on others.  

We can find ourselves in opportunities for conversation to educate and advocate on what type 1 means to us.  But when we hear or watch media mislead the awareness effort it can be discouraging.  When people are misinformed or mislead, it can be difficult to change those misperceptions.  It is like a first impression - you can't have a second first impression.  You can influence persuasion but the person has to have a willingness to change their thoughts and beliefs.

There are many articles that note the many times that tv and movies have gotten it wrong.  Such as this article on Beyond Type 1's website.  Diabetes is so often incorporated as a punch line or a joke.  But to those of us who live with it all day every day it is anything but a joke.  Knowing what we know as well, we can infer that most cases are referring to type 2 but thats never specified.  Regardless though, it's disrespectful and unnecessary.  I remember sitting in the movie theatre, laughing my ass off during The Boss, loving Melissa McCarthy, and then they cracked a diabetes joke and it was like my heart sank a little.  Disappointed to say the least.  The joke was not needed, and it just came off as offensive.  It ruined a good moment.

But for all the times media gets it wrong, its important to recognize the times it gets it right.  

Watching Chicago Med the other night, a patient presented in the ER and had one doctor quickly diagnose and dismiss, where another doctor wanted to run more tests and dig deeper.  The patient's symptoms had nothing to do with diabetes, type 1 or 2, and even when diabetes was mentioned the type wasn't specified.  But it didn't matter.  The patient thanked the doctor for listening to him and for caring and for not blowing him off.  That was a moment that we could greatly relate to.  Doctors hear or see the diabetes diagnosis and immediately think that is what the source of the presenting problem is and often overlook other signs and symptoms quick to blame the patient for poor management.

We will go to the ER and her blood sugar will be high and as soon as it comes down to the low 200s they try and discharge us.  Every time, doesn't matter what we came in for or what is wrong with her it's like a magic number.  I've grown the thickened skin to stand up and refuse to leave if I feel our issues are being ignored.  Once after I demanded another blood test before leaving, they came back in and said they would admit her.  To go from sending us home to admission demonstrates a clear lack of regard to her health and well being.  

So when the patient on Chicago Med mentioned the pattern of doctors not listening to him and just relating everything to the diabetes, I melted into a moment of relating to this character on tv as if it could be real life.  That feeling of being ignored by supposed experts who we turn to and rely on to help us and heal us is something I know all too well.  

So shame on you screenwriters cracking jokes that aren't even well informed, and thank you Chicago Med writers for not feeding the misinformation and bringing us in to love you even more.