This patient support community is for questions related to juvenile diabetes including
Celiac disease,
depression, diabetic complications, hyperglycemia /
diabetic keto-acidosis,
hypoglycemia, islet cell transplantation,
nutrition, parenting a diabetic child, pregnancy, pump therapy, school issues, and teens with
diabetes.
I am a type 1 diabetic, and have been since childhood. I have had civilian jobs on military bases, and am proud to state that every young Air Force pilot-to-be is learning to fly right now using illustrations and animations that I created as a civilian contractor for the Air Force. My diabetes was not an issue at all. I do wish you the very best.
Understandably, no one has been or ever will be allowed entry to the military services who was known to be Type 1. I have been interested in the stories of Type 1 diabetics who have been allowed to remain in the service in the past 25 years. I know of only two cases, but likely there have been others. One was a musician, the other was a cryptographer. Both held very specialized positions, and both had to muster considerable political influence (senators, congressmen, etc.) to be allowed to remain in service. Their being allowed to remain in service was grossly unfair to the great majority of those who develope Type 1 diabetes while in the military who are forced out. But let me state my opinion clearly. Type 1 diabetes is plainly and uncontestably disqualifying for military service. Anyone who is familiar with the military AND Type 1 DM knows this. There should NEVER be any relaxation of the requirements that military servicemen of any specialty, combat or non-combat, be FULLY medically fit.
I consider myself extremely lucky that my Type 1 developed after I had completed my active military service. I do very much sympathize with all the young Type 1 people who won't be allowed to join a military service. But they should already know by now that life isn't fair.
Its like being discriminated against even without having any sort of a chance or ability to prove one's self because of old mind sets.
Things are extremely different. They even have pumps now that mimic a pancreas. Sometimes I keep thinking that a group of people with these situations should get together some how and possibly organize into some sort of group with permission of the us government and or local national guard or something like that to create a group of people that would be willing to go through some sort of test situation to let people try and or prove themselves. This might sound strange but here's what I would be thinking:
All type one people participating should be on pump therapy.
All people must be on a guided exercise plan with appropriate measures engaged to certify standards that meet or exceed whats done in current situations that the military does for PT.
Certain types of standards for a1c type testing should be met over time as to what sugar levels are. Heck the RCMP in Canada allows diabetics if you prove that you are under good control.
I'm sure there could be more added to this situation and or statements but this is just a big brain storm session that just came to me. I guess I'm just tired of thinking that no one is listening to our situations. I know the legal complexity is probably big but I think there's a lot of people out there that would be willing to try this under certain types of waivers. I see so many posts out there where people want to do things like this all over but feel as though its not possible but inside of themselves they know its possible.
Sometimes I feel as though that diabetics are healthier people than regular people. Just wished that someone out there would give us a chance.