We need to change the way we talk about diabetes
- Flux Communications
- May 5
- 2 min read
By Flux Communications
Building on last year’s nationwide Diabetes Stigma Campaign, Sweet Life Diabetes Community is once again focusing on diabetes stigma on the 14th May with #DiabetesLooksLikeMe.
This year, our core message is around language:
Diabetes stigma is reflected in the way we talk about people with diabetes. Let’s recognise the humans behind the condition.
People with diabetes are often discriminated against. The language used to talk aboutdiabetes is filled with blame and shame, and the people behind the condition are not seen, or empowered. But we can change that.
Dismantling diabetes stigma
We begin by dismantling diabetes stigma.Our campaign last year focused on the face of diabetes. This year we’re focusing on the humans behind the condition – not just a diabetic. We asked our community to describe who they are aside from living with diabetes, and they told us, in a 1 minute video that illustrates it better than we ever could. Visit www.sweetlife.org.za/DiabetesLooksLikeMe to watch it.
Diabetes stigma in South Africa
Diabetes stigma might seem like a minor problem – insensitive language being used and making people with diabetes feel bad. But the reality is that South Africa has a huge diabetes stigma problem, and it’s contributing to the fact that 1 in 2 South Africans with diabetes are undiagnosed. Which contributes directly to the fact that diabetes is the number 1 killer of South Africans.
“Sharing personal stories helps to actively dismantle stigma. Narrative sharing builds connection, challenges harmful stereotypes, and validates the emotional reality of people living with diabetes." - Daniel Sher, Type 1 diabetes psychologist
Lived experience stories
Each person’s journey with diabetes – and diabetes stigma – is different. That’s why we’re sharing the stories of our community to humanise the issue. Alongside this, we’re inviting people with diabetes to share a selfie on Thursday 14th May with the hashtag #DiabetesLooksLikeMe
so that we can flood social media with images of all different kinds of people with diabetes.
Practical guidance
Another huge part of diabetes stigma is not knowing how to do better. That’s why we’ve put together this simple Diabetes stigma and language sheet, to share with healthcare providers, the media, friends, family and colleagues.
Read - and share - more about diabetes on www.sweetlife.org.za/DiabetesLooksLikeMe
Share your story
We’re inviting people with diabetes to share their stories of stigma on Facebook and Instagram, as well as by joining us in a Facebook Live on Thursday 28th May at 7pm. It will be a discussion between psychologist Daniel Sher and Sweet Life CEO and co-founder Bridget McNulty, both living with diabetes, in which they welcome questions and comments from the broader diabetes community. Everyone is invited!
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