I Don't Mean to Pry...

Scene. Me at the grocery store. Produce section. I live a very exciting and exotic life.

"Are you finding everything OK?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Ma'am, I don't mean to get in your business, but...

*eyebrow raise*

"What is that thing on your arm?"

"Oh, that. I have diabetes, and it's called a continuous glucose monitor. It checks my blood sugar every 5 minutes for me."

"No shi....throat clearing...No kidding!" (He did work there after all. I don't think his manager would appreciate his swearing at customers, even in astonishment at the wonder of our world.)

"What will they think of next!!"

I don't know. A cure? But it was kind of a fun little moment, showing this guy the advancements we've made, even though we have a long way to go.

(See how I use "we" as if I have had anything to do with it? Or maybe it's the "Royal We". I could have delusions of grandeur, you never know.)

It was the complete opposite of Kerri's story, which really does make me want to punch people in the throat. Maybe if I was in the candy aisle instead of the produce section I would have received similar treatment.

There's a comedian who goes around saying something to the effect of "Alcoholism is the only disease you get blamed for having." Well, I'm pretty sure there are a lot of PWD who would disagree with that. And people with AIDS. (Ever heard of condoms?) And even people with cancer (You shouldn't have used your cell phone so much! Didn't you ever hear of sunscreen?!) More and more we are getting blamed for what happens to be a hugely complicated mix of genetics, behavior, diet, environment, and plain old luck.

The focus on prevention, while very very good, (it really IS worth a pound of cure) has had the unfortunate side effect of people believing everything can be prevented and everything can be "blamed" on something.

To paraphrase Sondheim - So what matters is the blame? Somebody to blame? Fine, if that's the thing you enjoy, placing the blame, if that's the aim, give me the blame. Just give me the cure.