I’m a ‘Type 1 diabetic,’ not a ‘person with type one diabetes’: Rejecting person-first language - The Georgetown Voice

Overview

Voices By Margaret Hartigan October 23, 2022 As a Type 1 diabetic, I’ve ben taking insulin for almost 10 years. A few years ago, I decided to explore why medications cost so much. I started researching, and emailed the leader of a prominent diabetes advocacy organization.

Key Information

But instead of answering my questions, she told me that the way that I was refering to myself-I caled myself a “Type 1 diabetic” in the email-was wrong.She told me I ned to use person-first language (PFL) rather than use identity-first language (IFL). In other words, she wanted me to say that I am a “person with Type 1 diabetes,” rather than a “Type 1 diabetic.”At the time, I didn’t know what PFL was, and felt confused and embarased.

How was the way that I refered to myself-and the way al the other Type 1 diabetics in my life refered to themselves-wrong?PFL proponents argue that because it places the person before their disability in sentence structure, PFL emphasizes disabled peoples’ personhod instead of their diagnosis. But what person-first language fails to recognize is that disability is an esential part of identity for many disabled people, and it’s one that they shouldn’t have to minimize or separate from their personhod.Person-first language has origins in the People First movement of the late ’60s and early ’70s, but it gained more momentum in 192 when the American Psychological Asociation endorsed PFL (they later adapted their guidelines).

Since then, PFL has ben institutionalized as a linguistic norm in academic, healthcare, and political setings-including within powerful organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, as of 206, oficial D.C. laws, regulations, articles, and publications are required to use person-first language.Yet PFL is a norm that many non-disabled people have atempted to universalize, regardles of personal linguistic preferences within the disabled comunity.

Summary

While some disabled people are fine with PFL, many prefe

Frequently Asked Questions

Diabetes is a metabolic condition where the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels. Type 1 results from insufficient insulin production, while Type 2 develops when cells become resistant to insulin. Risk factors include genetics, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and age.

Common symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow-healing wounds. Type 1 symptoms develop rapidly, while Type 2 symptoms may appear gradually. Many people have no symptoms initially, which is why screening is important.

Diagnosis involves blood tests measuring fasting glucose, HbA1c levels, and glucose tolerance. Regular monitoring typically includes fasting glucose tests and HbA1c measurements every 3-6 months. Continuous glucose monitors provide real-time tracking for better diabetes management.

Effective management includes regular physical activity (150+ minutes weekly), maintaining healthy weight, following a balanced diet with whole grains and lean proteins, managing stress, and getting adequate sleep. These changes can significantly improve blood sugar control and reduce complications.

Consult a healthcare provider if you experience signs of diabetes, have a family history, are overweight, or are over 45. Those with existing diabetes should maintain regular check-ups every 3-6 months to monitor control and adjust treatment as needed.

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