Beyond the diagnosis: What people with diabetes wish you knew

Shaming hurts

Tomeka Porter, 50, has managed her diabetes for over 40 years, and feels empowered to make her own decisions thanks to effective diabetes management technology.

However, when dining out, her well-meaning friends and family sometimes question her decision to order dessert.

What they haven't seen is that she's already calculated the carbs, adjusted her insulin dose and checked her glucose levels.

"For me, having excellent control over my diabetes means using the tools that can give me real-time information to make real-time decisions," said Porter. "The best tool I have is my continuous glucose monitor. It keeps me on track, in control and completely accountable, so the people I'm with don't have to do it for me."

Sean Hughes, 64, also lives with diabetes and finds that people fixate on what caused his condition, assuming that it stems from poor lifestyle choices.

"There's this idea that people with diabetes are to blame for their condition," he said. "It's not as simple as, 'You didn't eat right.'"

Criticism of food and lifestyle decisions is a common challenge. People with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are often unfairly judged, reinforcing the false belief that diabetes is only caused by "bad" choices. In truth, diabetes is a complex condition influenced by genetics, immune system responses, environment and other factors.³

Here's what Porter and Hughes wish everyone knew about living with diabetes:

1. Every day means constant decision-making.
   People with diabetes can make up to 180 health decisions daily.⁴ From predicting how their glucose responds to what they eat to choosing what activities they do – all while managing the medications they take – staying healthy requires constant vigilance.
2. There's no one-size-fits-all plan.
   Everyone's journey with diabetes is personal. What works for one person may not work for another.
3. It's not just about sugar.
   Diabetes is about how the body processes glucose, which can be affected by insulin resistance, stress, illness, sleep and activity levels – not just food.⁵
4. A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) can help inform lifestyle choices.
   CGMs are discreet biowearables that monitor a person's glucose in real-time, helping them understand how food, activity and medications affect their levels. This insight helps support informed decisions.
5. Support matters.
   Helpful language helps create a more supportive environment. In a survey conducted by Abbott, 70% of respondents said supportive comments from others can significantly boost their motivation to manage their condition.⁶

Bethany Dingman, 32, has lived with diabetes for more than 20 years and shares Porter and Hughes' experiences and advice. "Diabetes does not define who you are as a person," she said. "Yes, it is a serious medical condition but when treated correctly, whether through diet and exercise, checking your glucose levels or medication, you can still enjoy life."

The weight of stigma

Abbott, a global leader in diabetes biowearables, recently released research capturing the real-life experiences of people living with diabetes.⁶ It showed:

• Nearly 70% believe there is stigma associated with their condition.⁶
• Almost 25% have avoided sharing their diagnosis with family or friends out of embarrassment or concern.⁵
• 40% have skipped or missed a doctor's appointment due to shame.⁶

These findings reveal that stigmatizing comments don't just hurt, they isolate. They can make people with diabetes less likely to seek care, less willing to share their struggles and more vulnerable to shame.

How you can be supportive

Start with empathy. Instead of asking what a person with diabetes "can" or "can't" do, ask how you can support them. Respect that people with diabetes are the most knowledgeable about their own condition and how to manage it.

"People think that having diabetes means that I can't have sugar, but it's much more complex than that. I have an excellent system in place to help me manage it," Porter said.

"Diabetes is something I work at managing every single day," added Hughes. "The ideal support is respecting that I know my body and my needs. I am in control."

"I am living proof that diabetes is not stopping me from living my best life," shares Dingman. "I have the tools to ensure my glucose levels stay at a safe level and it helps me worry less while doing my workouts and planning my meals."

To raise awareness about the health impact of diabetes-related misconceptions, Abbott launched the Above the Bias initiative. If you or someone you know is living with diabetes and would like to learn more about what better support looks like, visit AboveBias.com.

The views expressed in this story should not be used for medical diagnosis or treatment or as a substitute for professional medical advice. Individual symptoms, situations and circumstances may vary.