People with diabetes are
sometimes treated
unfairly just because
they have diabetes. This
is called
discrimination. Many
times, discrimination
happens because people
just don’t know that
much about diabetes.
Here are some
real-life examples of
discrimination that kids
with diabetes have
faced.
- Not permitted to
go on field trips, or
not allowed unless a
parent comes along
- Being cut from a
sport because the
coach thinks people
with diabetes can’t be
good athletes
- Not allowed to eat
snacks in class or on
the bus.
- Being punished
for being absent from
school because of
diabetes
- Not allowed to
participate in
after-school
activities because no
one there knows about
caring for diabetes
What You Can Do
Often, people who
discriminate don’t know
it. They may honestly
believe that they’re
doing what’s best for
you. The solution to
this problem is
education. Ask a parent
or your diabetes
educator to discuss your
diabetes with the person
or organization.
In many cases, people
stop discriminating
after they learn more
about diabetes. If
educating people about
diabetes doesn’t help,
you and your parents
will have to make some
decisions about what to
do next. Some things you
might do: talk to people
higher up in an
organization; write
letters to people who
could help; contact
other parents of kids
with diabetes or the
ADA.
You, your family, and
your friends can also
help prevent
discrimination against
people with diabetes.
Every time you give
someone correct
information about
diabetes, you’re helping
to stop discrimination.
You and your family may
also want to get
involved in
organizations—such as
the ADA—that fight for
the rights of people
with diabetes.
You and your parents
could write letters to
people in
government—such as the
president, your state
and national senators
and representatives,
your governor, and your
local school board—to
inform them about
diabetes and
discrimination. You can
probably think of lots
of other ways to educate
others about diabetes!
