Injecting in Public: Live Experience by Layla

I commend Layla for being confident in what she is doing to stay healthy and alive. Injecting in public myself was very embarrassing to say the least back in my school age days. Back in those days there was basically no education at all, so I would just explain to anyone who questioned why I was injecting. I was often told to go to the toilets to hide the procedure, until I decided to stay where I was and just do it there and then in the seat. Even when I started working, other colleagues also would make a fuss in front of others, but you know what, I didn’t take any notice of them and continue to focus on myself and the job at hand. I soon noticed they gave up and I was left alone. Be brave and be proud of who you are and you too will live a long, healthy and normal life as I have for 52 years (and more to come) Diabetes is just a bump in the road, the potholes can seem deep at times, but it can be overcome and not be a chore at all.
Good luck with your journey and I wish you all the best for the future with a great mum by your side.

Layla, you have a great mom! I have had diabetes for 63 years. When I was taking insulin by shots I simple just tried to turn away from people so as not make them uncomfortable. I never cared what people would say because they did not understand that this was my medicine so I could live.
So keep doing it and enjoy being who you are.

I don’t hesitate to give myself an injection in public, although I try to keep it under the table and not too obvious. The difficulty is always remembering to wear a shirt that I can just roll up as it’s not good to inject through your clothes. This is a lifesaving medication and if I need it, it’s much more important than other people’s opinion of what I’m doing.

I don’t hesitate to give myself an injection in public, although I try to keep it under the table and not too obvious. The difficulty is always remembering to wear a shirt that I can just roll up as it’s not good to inject through your clothes. This is a lifesaving medication and if I need it, it’s much more important than other people’s opinion of what I’m doing.

Layla and many like here who are insulin dependant are very brave indeed. I for one and would hope that no one in this world would see that Layla injecting herself is a shameful thing, as Layla’s mum rightfully points out it is a life saving process.

However, taking it to restaurants, food courts or any other public place is not I feel appropriate to simply inject in full view of all including those who are sensitive to the very thought of an injection and children, this is not the way to show people that one should not be embarrassed because they have diabetes. There is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, but rather embrace that we have technology and medical advancements that enable someone with type 1 diabetes to be able to control it by themselves. Maybe the way to educate people on understanding that diabetes is not a contagious thing and that those with it like Layla need this injection to survive, Governments should do more in this space if this is how our people with diabetes feel.

Besides all that, don’t become concerned with ignorant people who form their own opinion, wrongfully more often than that, Layla, you are the bigger person, you don’t need to do this in public to not feel embarrassed.

I hope you are doing well Layla.

I personally have type 2 diabetes and require to take up to four other tablets a day to keep some other health issues in check, I am disappointed that I require to live on this medication, but certainly not embarrassed in taking them or what people think about me taking a hand full of tablets, they do there job and thankfully I am able to live a normal life as possible.

Well done Layla.
I am 54 yes old. I got type 1 diabetes when l was 7.
Boiling up stainless steel syringes and inserting syringe into a bottle of insulin.
Then disposable syringes were introduced.
One of my friends mother when l was around 12, would not let me stay at there house because she said l was a junky.
I was sitting in the car flicking out the bubbles in my syringe when a couple walked past and spoke to each other, commenting, oh my look at that junky..
I felt horrible.
People were uneducated back then, and quick to judge.
These days l still get looked at when having my needle, but l don’t care what people think.
Good on you Layla, people still need educating, and like you l have educated lots in understanding my diabetes.