How to handle Diabetes in the Workplace?

It has been many years since my initial diagnosis of Type I Diabetes (about 17) and I have definitely changed my thinking regarding my disease.

During the first year of so after my diagnosis, I was fearful to share my diabetes with my co-workers. I really do not remember feeling shame, I think I consciously did not want to answer their questions or concerns about the disease. I was not comfortable with the disease myself and I was not in control of it.

About a year after my diagnosis, my physician recommended an insulin pump. I reticently agreed to try it, and have never regretted the decision,

not even for a moment. Having an insulin pump allowed me to get my life back—I was able to control my disease, and was able to become an advocate for the insulin pump.

An insulin pump is a small medical device that is capable of administering minute amounts of insulin from a reservoir through tubing that is delivered into the body subcutaneously by an infusion mechanism. These minute amounts of insulin are delivered approximately every ten minutes continuously throughout the 24 hour period, and also additional insulin may be bloused prior or after meals.

Diabetes in the workplace should be disclosed for the safety of the employee and for other employees. Operating machinery, driving, and other

specific requirements of the position may be compromised if the employee/diabetic does not control their blood sugars. Both high and low blood sugars may cause significant breaches in cognitive judgment, decision making, and memory. Other employees should have minimum information regarding diabetes, so they will be helpful if an emergency or semi-emergency arises while the diabetic is in the workplace.

Simple procedures can insure a minimal risk of having low and high blood sugars. Simple glucose tablets should be available at all times, along with fruit juice and crackers or snacks. Diabetic employees should be allowed to test their blood sugar at regular intervals and to treat either a low or high blood

sugar. If they are not on an insulin pump, they will most likely have to take injections (usually several a day) to control their blood sugar. In this disease, a little bit of understanding and knowledge will go a long way in enhancing the performance of the diabetic employee.

Dianne Mattiace is a Type I/Insulin Dependent Diabetic for the past 16 years. She is currently using Insulin Pump Therapy to manage her disease. She works full time as a Realtor in Florida, in addition to doing Internet Articles and web advertising. Questions or comments at [mailto:DMattiace@gmail.com]DMattiace@gmail.com