I’ve been thinking recently about all of the gear I wear and tote around for my type 1 diabetes (and carry for my daughter as well). I am overly accustomed to all of these goodies – being that I’ve had type 1 diabetes for nearly 30 years.
Perhaps the warmer weather has spurred these thoughts. With temperatures rising and shedding layers of clothing I welcome curious stares; my diabetes technology begins to sprout from previously hidden places. Tank tops, bathing suits and summer attire don’t leave much to the imagination or provide much coverage when it comes to type 1 diabetes.
As a nurse I spend a lot of time around band-aids, bandages, tape, ace bandages and nearly everything else known to patch up mankind. Most tape and bandages in my experience are tan in color. So here is my humble question -
Why do all of my diabetes supplies come in blinding white colors?
It seems old school to have everything white – like nurses polished shoes and hats. Look, we aren’t sporting those duds anymore. Why don’t sensors, pump sites and tape come in skin tones? Clearly I know all skin colors vary, but there is a standard band-aid color we use. Try finding a white band-aid at Target – good luck with that, because they are all skin colored (unless they are Hello Kitty of course).
Is it wrong to be a grown adult asking for a bit of discreetness?
Dexcom and Omnipod are the eye catchers for me, large white things taped to the body. Perhaps the person who approved this gangly taping system should walk around with their product on at the beach for a week- that may give them a better perspective on the skin patch they market. Truth be told, the small things do matter when you live with a chronic disease.
When there’s more than one person in the same family with type 1 diabetes the stares, questions and misunderstandings can come in large and unruly quantities.
Of course, with all of this said, my daughter did pick the bright blue insulin pump and hot pink sites when she was given the choice – LOL! But even she doesn’t like a daily barrage of questions about her type 1 diabetes from bystanders.
I realize we are all different – so, thank you for the choices we have.
Sometimes it’s just nice to be under the radar, incognito, private. Instead I usually feel like I am waving a flag over my head- “Hey, I have type 1 diabetes!”