How do you introduce your diabetes to a date? Does your date already know that you have diabetes?
These questions can be daunting when starting a new relationship.
When it comes to dating I’ve had different experiences.
Usually, I was lucky enough that my date already knew. I never tried to hide my diabetes.
However, sometimes I wished I never had to address it. Even if they knew, it didn’t rule out a mini-course in Diabetes 101 from time to time.
Most dates were curious and it didn’t seem to be a problem for our relationship. I simply told them that I had diabetes. They usually asked a few questions and most times I didn’t mind answering.
In restaurants on the first date, I would go to the restroom and test my blood glucose (BG) and give my injection there. Usually by the following dates I could tell if it was going to bother them if I injected/tested at the table or in public.
I will never forget the time that a date asked if he could have a sip of my diet coke and then hesitated, asking if diabetes was contagious. I laughed, but it was a reminder that for some, diabetes was going to be a potential issue.
Although sometimes I didn’t want to tell him early in the relationship, no matter how cute he was, if it was going to be a problem, I knew he wasn’t right for me. Diabetes is a big part of my life. My partner would need to be accepting of it.
Showing my partner my testing, injections, not to mention my insulin pump insertions sites, was difficult. I knew so many friends that refused to tell.
It was awkward to discuss in the early stages of dating, but I couldn’t imagine how much harder it would be to mention it midway through a potential solid relationship.
You don’t have to introduce yourself and follow it with the fact that you have diabetes, but it should be addressed.
I think of dating like the disease itself. It is a huge part of me, but it doesn’t define me. It is unnecessary to focus on all the dangers of diabetes all the time.
Having a life with diabetes is almost like a relationship itself. There needs to be some openness, honesty, there will be a few worries, tears and hopefully, the surrounding support that every relationship needs.
By Marianne Tetlow “The Diabetes Coach”
The Diabetes Coach is a comprehensive resource and consulting group for individuals or families with a loved one dealing with diabetes. “Helping You To Move Forward While Managing the Ups and Downs”
www.diabeteslifestylecoach.com/
Edited by Jody Smith