Mightier than Type One : 10 things people with Type One diabetes hear all too often 1. PEOPLE WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES CAN’T EAT SUGAR – In reality people with type 1 diabetes can eat anything they want, as long as they give themselves enough insulin to cover the sugar or carbs they eat. It must be said though that sugar isn’t really good for anybody and should be eaten in moderation, but I’ll save that rant for another day. 2. TYPE 1 DIABETES IS CAUSED BY BEING OVERWEIGHT Type 1 diabetes is an auto immune disease caused by the body attacking the pancreas. It has nothing to do with weight or diet. 3. ADULTS CAN’T GET TYPE 1 DIABETES While it is more rare for an adult to get type 1, it happens. It can happen at any age. 4. KIDS WILL GROW OUT OF TYPE 1 DIABETES Well meaning friends or family members told me this when my daughter was first diagnosed. “don’t worry, she’ll grow out of it” Sadly that is not the case. She will be insulin dependent for the rest of her life. 5. TYPE 1 DIABETES IS HEREDITARY – This one is complicated. Type 1 diabetes is not hereditary. However, the autoimmune gene that can cause diabetes, as well as a number of other diseases, can be hereditary. 6. YOU GET TYPE 1 DIABETES FROM EATING TOO MUCH SUGAR Nope, nu-uh, no way. As stated in number 2, nothing that you eat will cause type 1 diabetes. Eating too much sugar can cause a tummy ache, but not diabetes. 7. PEOPLE WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES CAN’T PLAY SPORTS Ugh. I hate this one. People with type 1 diabetes can play any sports they want, there are many athletes that have type 1 diabetes such as Sir Steve Redgrave 8. THE INSULIN PUMP CURES TYPE 1 DIABETES Well meaning friend or stranger: “Isn’t she on a pump?” Me: “Yes, but…” Friend/Stranger: “Well then she is cured, right?” Nope. Not even close. The pump is an amazing piece of equipment that has made our life so much easier, but it hasn’t cured her diabetes, it will never cure her diabetes. She will always need insulin, the pump just makes delivery of that insulin easier and more accurate. 9. TYPE 1 DIABETES CAN BE CURED WITH DIET AND EXERCISE I blame Halle Berry for this one. Halle Berry was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1989. In 2007, she claimed in an interview that she had weaned herself off insulin after changing her diet, pretty much curing her diabetes. Um, what? That is not physically possible, it’s a death sentence to stop insulin if you have type 1 diabetes. The fact is that Ms. Berry was possibly misdiagnosed and had type 2 diabetes all along. There is no cure for type 1 diabetes. 10. AT LEAST ITS NOT SERIOUS LIKE CANCER I have no words. Help us find a cure for Type one diabetes. http://ift.tt/2gFkUGb