Wednesday 28 June 2017

Language Matters – Can You Help?

By Rosie Walker, Successful Diabetes and Anne Cooper, living with Type 1 diabetes since being diagnosed, aged 16, in 1979

We have both attended diabetes professional conferences and reflected on the language used about diabetes, for example, self-care is often labelled with words like ‘compliance’, patients are ‘suffering from diabetes’ and ‘poor’ is contrasted with ‘good’ control. These words carry a degree of stigma, or at the very least affect how people interacted with those of us who have diabetes. Rosie has also recently posted on her blog (see previous post below) including similar examples and more, showing that language really does make a difference

As mentioned previously, in other countries, most notably Australia, there has been a push to change the way language is used and Diabetes Australia have led the way in trying to eradicate words that are unhelpful when supporting people to live with diabetes and suggesting others. Their position statement ‘A new language for diabetes’ was drawn up by an eminent working group including clinicians, psychologists and of course, people living with diabetes. It is the basis for many events and presentations which quite literally ‘spread the word’ about language awareness and use in diabetes care. One such presentation was recently at the American Diabetes Association 2017 meeting in San Diego, where it was proposed that the USA might develop its own statement

Inspired by attending that workshop and/or hearing about it through Australian diabetes advocate and blogger, Renza Scibilia, ourselves and Dr Partha Kar, Associate National Clinical Director for Diabetes in England, have decided to do something about this in the UK; working with people with diabetes, and also professionals and voluntary sector organisations, to create a UK statement that raises awareness of and promotes the best use of language in relation to diabetes and people living with it

To start us off, we would like to hear your views

What words or phrases do you think should be discouraged from use in referring to people living with diabetes, the management of their condition and/or diabetes care generally? Perhaps you could give us a list of your ‘top 5’ recommendations with alternatives?

To help you get started here is the Australian position statement


Please post your comments in the comments box below or tweet your reply to @successdiabetes or @anniecoops using #Diabeteswords, by the end of July 2017. You can also email your thoughts privately to enquiries@successfuldiabetes.com

You can also comment on other people’s ideas if you wish (politely of course!)

We will be putting all the ideas together and will take all comments into account when drafting the statement

Please contribute and also share this invitation as widely as you can – we would like to get the views of as many people as possible!

Thank you!
Anne Cooper @anniecoops and Rosie Walker @successdiabetes

22 comments:

  1. I'm extremely pleased to see this article and the traction that is finally starting to get behind it. This is such an important issue and has significant impacts on outcomes of engagement and the mental health of those living with the condition. We are significantly behind the curve on this matter. I wrote in my own blog back in 2015 some suggestions I thought should be addressed, you can read it here https://t1ramblings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/the-dirty-language-used-in-diabetes.html and I was pleased to be pointed to the Australian Diabetes positional statement afterwards. Language really does matter, let's make a difference!

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  2. Thank you so much David. It looks like it's 'time to shine' for these ideas and reflections - finally, as you say! thanks for such a quick reply and for sharing too :)

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  3. Shelley Foster28 June 2017 at 18:04

    As for alternatives:
    Individual, good efforts, let's see if we can try something else, well done, don't be discouraged as there are other things to try, let's look for any patterns to see if any adjustments can be made, would you like some support to manage your diabetes? Manage is a better word than control!

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  4. thanks Shelley, that is fantastic (received your full message by email notification, so all noted) :)

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  5. Pet hate: "If you had looked after yourself when you were younger, you wouldn't have these complications". 50 years ago I had one injection per day, tested wee that had been in my bladder for hours, ate 6 carbohydrate laden meals a day. HBa1c had not been invented, BG meters had not been invented, basal bolus had not been invented. Looked after myself, well I did everything the medical profession told me to, so why is it helpful to make me feel it is all my fault because I have complications?

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    1. Thank you for this heartfelt comment. Totally agree that this is unhelpful to say. and especially as you did 'do what you were told'. What more could have been expected of you? You can't go back and change anything in any situation, what is happening now and for the future is the most helpful focus. Thank you again and wishing you well

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  6. Hate resppnse-No- when asking about possibilities rather than discussing what might be worth exploring.

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    1. Thank you Frances, agree that there are so many possible ways to deal and cope with what diabetes brings and discussing them is vital to find the right one for you. wishing you well and thanks again

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  7. ALL THANKS TO DR WILLIAMS FOR THE GREAT DEED HE HAVE DONE FOR MY DAUGHTER?
    My daughter suffered from diabetes type 2 for more than 20 years which we started experiencing in her when she turned 17 year and 5 months we all thought it will end but got even worse as days went by. We tried all several treatments and therapy prescribed by various doctors we met but to no avail, she lost weight even when she is eating and feel hungry,and She usually had Headaches. This were steady illness that disrupted her entire life, even at night she slept less because of this.It was during a casual conversation with a friend that i learned about Dr Williams herbal medicine I was able to contact him on his email address. and give him all the necessary information that he needed,few day later he sent me the herbal portion and his medicine was able to restore her back to normal and she is very okay now without any side effects whatsoever. If you have diabetes, do not hesitate to contact him on drwilliams098675@gmail.com for advice and for his product. I hope this also helps someone out there

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  8. CURE TO DIABETES WITHOUT ANY SIDE EFFECT: My daughter was diagnosed with diabetes . My daughter diabetes was something i don't understand she cry so bad that she was usually in bed for about 8 hours and soreness killers (even prescription strength) don't stop the crying even if she take triple the dosage. my daughter symptoms was really so terrible,that we have to make hospital our home, and all the doctors would do is monitor it, prescribe him countless of control pills and pain medication with no positive result. until recently I contacted a Doctor who put an end to this problem. If you are having same problem with diabetes contact Dr. William for advice and possible solution without any side effect drwilliams098675@gmail.com

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  9. I recently have some difficult conversations and I did what a lot of people do when they want to know how to do something. I googled it. I came across Dr Williams herbal medicine on YouTube so many people thanking him about his good work. I also have diabetes. I wasn’t running all over God’s creation with every man I could find but here I am. I have felt bad about myself for so many years now because of my diabetes status. I obviously still have some self-accepting to do but I want to thank Dr Williams for everything he have done for my family ,after taking Dr Williams medicine i was completely free from diabetes within one month of usage, I think what you are doing is so admirable. you have helped me a lot! I want to definitely reach out to you and thank you for your amazing work. You are a good person, and an extremely talented man. You have helped millions with your herbs, and have really inspired me,and i pray you still continue doing the good work.you can also email him on drwilliams098675@gmail.com for help

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  11. Thanks to Dr Williams I am so happy today, I have been suffering from diabetes for the past 8 years now, and i have spent a lot on western drugs which has all proved abortive, i have tried all means in life to become diabetes free , but there was no answer until i decided to try herbal solution and i found Dr Williams online and i contacted him and after I took his medication as instructed, i am now completely free from diabtes within those week of usage, i am so much happy, thanks to Dr Williams for helping me get my life back again without any form of crisis, i promise to tell your name and good deeds to the whole world,if you have diabetes you can email him on drwilliams098675@gmail.com for more information

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  12. ALL THANKS TO DR WILLIAMS WITH HIS HERB MY WIFE WAS COMPLETELY CURED FROM DIABETES .
    Is my pleasure to comment on this site and i thank the admin of this site for his/her great work so far.one of the happiest moment in my life was when the doctor confirm that my wife is been free from this illness. this awesome moments makes me the happiest man on earth, I really don't know how to thank DR WILLIAMS for helping my wife get cured for over how many year of suffering from diabetes. i came across DR Williams contact through a headline news on internet about how DR Williams help a woman to get cured of her diabetes. and so many other with similar body problem ,i contacted him and he told me how to get his herb,few day later he sent me the herbal portion which my wife take every morning for 28 days, and his medicine was able to cure her completely from diabetes. and now she very mush okay without any side effects whatsoever, If you have any form of diabetes., you can always contact him on his email address drwilliams098675@gmail.com for advice and for his product.

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  13. I am Shelley from Los Angeles,California, I want to testify on how i got cured from diabetes, I have suffered from diabetes since the year 2011 with so mush pain,that i have to spend so mush money getting pain relief in the hospital, and I have visited several doctor ,but all to no avail, my world was gradually coming to an end because of the frequent urination and pain , until i saw a post in a health forum about a herbal Dr Williams who use herbal portion in curing people from different kind of diseases including diabetes, at first i doubted if it we be able to cure me, but i decided to give it a try, when i contacted this herbal doctor via his email, he prepared a herbal portion and sent it to me via courier service, when i received this herbal medicine, he gave me step by step instructions on how to apply it, when i applied it as instructed, i was completely free from diabetes just for 1 months of usage,i we recommend this to all my friend family in the world today who still suffering from diabetes you can contact him through his email on drwilliams098675@gmail.com for help.

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  14. Awesome post
    This article helped me to write me this blog
    How to treat Non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
    Thanks for your work!!

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  15. As a sign of gratitude for how my husband was saved from diabetes type 2 , i decided to reach out to those still suffering from this.
    My husband was diagnosed of diabetes and it was really tough and heartbreaking for me because he was my all and the symptoms were terrible, he had difficulty eating, and he always complain of stomach pain and he always have frequent urination . we tried various therapies prescribed by our neurologist but none could cure him. I searched for a cure and i saw a testimony by someone who was cured and so many other with similar body problem, and he left the contact of the doctor who had the cure to diabetes . I never imagine diabetes has a cure not until i contacted him and he assured me my husband will be fine. I got the herbal medication he recommended and my husband used it and in one months he was fully okay even up till this moment he is so full of life. diabetes has a cure and it is a herbal cure contact the doctor for more info on drwilliams098675@gmail.com on how to get the medication. Thanks for reading my testimony

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  16. ALL THANKS TO DR WILLIAMS WITH HIS HERB MY WIFE WAS COMPLETELY CURED FROM DIABETES .
    Is my pleasure to comment on this site and i thank the admin of this site for his/her great work so far.one of the happiest moment in my life was when the doctor confirm that my wife is been free from this illness. this awesome moments makes me the happiest man on earth, I really don't know how to thank DR WILLIAMS for helping my wife get cured of over how many year of suffering from diabetes. i came across DR Williams contact through a headline news on internet about how DR Williams help a woman to get cured of her diabetes,and so many other with similar body problem ,i contacted him and he told me how to get his herb,few day later he sent me the herbal portion which my wife take every morning for 28 days, and his medicine was able to cure her completely from diabetes. and now she very mush okay without any side effects whatsoever, If you have any form of diabetes., you can always contact him on his email address drwilliams098675@gmail.com for advice and for his product.

    ReplyDelete
  17. An amazing testimony on on how i conceive, also cure from fibroid, i wonder why people still don't believe that roots and herbs are very essential and fruitful in different aspect, especially when you can't conceive and bear children. I am a living witness because I tried all I could to be pregnant but all to no avail, on this faithful day, i decided to check the net for updates on healthy living and i came across testimonies of lot of women who Dr Ebhota has helped with his native herbs to conceive. i decided to put a try because this has been my greatest problem in life so I emailed Dr Ebhota, and he told me what to do which i did, after which he sent me some roots and herbs syrup and gave me step by step guild lines on how and when to have sex with my man. I missed my menstrual flow within a short period of taking it, and the doctor confirmed that I am pregnant. I am very glad to tell the world that I just put to bed a bouncing baby boy last week. Contact Dr Ebhota for your own testimony on: (drebhota12345@gmail.com).Or Whatsapp Him +2349035314155, He can also cure so many sickness
    {1}Herpes
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    ReplyDelete
  18. As a sign of gratitude for how my husband was saved from diabetes type 2 , i decided to reach out to those still suffering from this.
    My husband was diagnosed of diabetes and it was really tough and heartbreaking for me because he was my all and the symptoms were terrible, he had difficulty eating, and he always complain of stomach pain and he always have frequent urination . we tried various therapies prescribed by our neurologist but none could cure him. I searched for a cure and i saw a testimony by someone who was cured and so many other with similar body problem, and he left the contact of the doctor who had the cure to diabetes . I never imagine diabetes has a cure not until i contacted him and he assured me my husband will be fine. I got the herbal medication he recommended and my husband used it and in one months he was fully okay even up till this moment he is so full of life. diabetes has a cure and it is a herbal cure contact the doctor for more info on drwilliams098675@gmail.com on how to get the medication. Thanks for reading my testimony

    ReplyDelete
  19. diabetes breakthrough
    I have been diagnosed with diabetes for 4 years and I have been on insulin for a very long time which is not a total cure for diabetes. I came across a patients testimony who was cured from virginal infection with Dr Nelson herbal medicine on a health blogger page when surfing the internet one faithful day including the doctor email address. I contacted the herbal specialist and after much discussion he sent the herbal medicine to me through delivery company which I received 3 days later and with the herbal specialist prescription I drank the herbal medicine for 21 days without insulin and today thanks to Almighty God I am cured from diabetes. Contact Dr Nelson and be cured through his mail: drnelsonsaliu10@gmail.com  
    or WhatsApp text on +12143027366.
    He has cure for, Herpes virus, Hepatitis,
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  20. Herpes cure 
    It's a great pleasure for me to write this testimony about how I got my Genital Herpes cured within a month. I have been reading so many comments of some people who were cured from various diseases by Dr Ahmed Usman herbal medicine but I never believed them. I was hurt and depressed so I was too curious and wanted to try DR. Ahmed then i contacted him through his email, he assured me 100% that he will cure me,  and asked me a few questions and the preparation method for which I paid, he sent me herbal medicines and with his prescription and I drank herbal medicine for 21 days and the epidemics on my body were healed after concluding his herbal medicine as instructed by him and went for a check up, to my greatest surprise my result was negative, I am really happy that I am cured and healthy again. I have waited for a month to be very sure I was completely cured before writing this testimony. I did another blood test one week ago and it was still Herpes negative, with no trace of the virus on my blood so I guess its time I recommend him to anyone suffering from Herpes Virus. contact Dr. Ahmed through his official email address: drahmedusman5104@gmail.com or via whatsapp +2348064460510 
    He said he had an herbal remedy for
    diabetes, cancer, fibroid, hyperglycemia, hepatitis,
    HIV, heart disease and liver disease.   

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