Good old Facebook. How did we ever lend our name to causes before it?! 
Stephen pointed out that someone has started a Facebook page for people to join, encouraging Diabetes UK to change the name of Type 1 Diabetes to something different, to differentiate it from Type 2. Here’s the blurb from the page:
Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are different – but the media treats both conditions as the same. Articles complaining of burdensome diabetics draining NHS resources are harmful and hurtful and are refering to patients with often preventable Type 2 diabetes, but the media frequently fail to make this distinction prefering the single term diabetics. There are approximately 2.6 million diabetics in the UK and of these it is estimated that 350,000 have Type 1. Join the Facebook campaign to get Diabetes UK to push for the name of Type 1 diabetes to be changed so that sufferers can be treated fairly and with the seriousness the condition deserves.
Quite who is driving this, what they want it changed to, or whom actually gets to have this re-naming power is not explicit. It’s an interesting one for me actually (I have joined, as agree in principle). The thing is – I think sometimes us Type 1s get a little too high and mighty about this being a condition we didn’t ask for or cause. That is certainly the case. However we need to bear in mind that Type 2s aren’t all fatties who’ve eaten, drunk and lounged their way into the condition either. Yes, certainly there are ample Type 2s who could look after themselves better and get rid of the condition, but there are numerous Type 2s who are not overweight nor irresponsible with their health and have ended up with the condition as well. We need to be careful, I think.
If you fancy joining the group, it’s here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=280698979764
For a light-hearted article on what we should re-name Type 1 to, check this blog post.
What are your thoughts?
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6 comments have been made on this post
Saffy wrote
Maybe one of the pump companies would like to sponsor a name, ala the primary school that Mainfreight sponsor in Auckland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bairds_Mainfreight_Primary_School)?I don’t mind saying that I have “Rocheitis” if it gets me cheap/free stuff :p
Kathy wrote
A great discussion point – one I’ve had a number of times especially after ‘misinformation’ from the media. I went onto the following site http:diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/overview/ and found an amazing list of the different types of diabetes. T1, T1.5, LADA (latent auto-immune diabetes mellitus in adults), Pre-diabetes, T2, Gestational, MYOD (or MODY) maturity onset diabetes of the young or neonatal DM (NDM)-this is a specific genetic condition and some ’causes’ of diabetes, Surgically induced when part or all of the pancreas is removed, Induced by medication and also a form caused by haemochromatosis! Then there are the terms, Insulin Dependent, Non-Insulin dependent, Insuling-requiring T2 etc. etc. Some rarely get a mention. So diabetes really is a ‘generic’ term for a large variety of complaints.
I do think however, that T1 should have its own name I’m sure someone could come up with something interesting – I love CRAP and Number 2 – but somehow can’t see it being generally accepted – aaaahhh!
Stephen wrote
Personally I think it should be something with meaning (perhaps some derivative of ancient words – just to be fancy
). Something that actually has to do with the causes / symptoms or maybe something we can identify with as “T1’s”. Maybe … “nonfunctioningpancreasitus” or “candied-hemoglobin syndrome” …… Im sure you can come up with better ones, perhaps some kinda naming competition?
Ali wrote
I love the idea of a naming competition. Should be run like a political campaign with each name shaking hands and kissing babies to get votes
Nic wrote
I’ll keep it in mind for when I next have something to give away!