is there any jobs that a type one diabetic can do?

[type1diabetic17]

im a 18 year old type one diabetic and im trying to find a job like as an EMT and i was wondering is there any jobs  out there that a type one diabetic can pursue a career that i can go to college for?


PLEASE HELP

[Forum-vol-cmb]

You can do any job that you put your mind to.  I am wondering why you think that you can't.  The only thing I know that you cannot pursue is active duty in the Army, Navy or Marines and that is because you cannot have any type of condition where you need to take medication, because if you were in the field you would not have access to your medication.  Those conditions include asthma, allergies requiring medication, thyroid conditions etc, so it isn't just diabetes.  
So, please do not let your diabetes hinder any dreams for you or make you think that you cannot accomplish what you want to in your life.  Go to college and study and pursue the career you want.  

[LB0109]

There are a few jobs you would not be able to do military, become an astronaut, drive a tractor trailer, fly an airplane or become a police officer.

Sorry

[klyn07]

i have been a type one diabetic for about 13 years now and i am 19 years old i start nursing school in january// you can do just about anything you want!! dont let diabetes discourage you// you will have no problem what so ever doing just about anything in the medical field!!!!

[stackchips]

you  cant be  a cop???

is that true??

whys that?

[allen2000]

yes you can be a cop!  My uncle has won a court case that allowed him to be a cop 5 years after being diagnosed with type 1.

[stackchips]

but he had to go to court just to be a cop...???

[a1c9]

Yes, you can do mostly anything.  HOWEVER...it will not be as easy to do as it is for anybody else you know.  That can be intimidating.  Going to college, school, working, having a family seems so easy for most people who put their mind to it.  But, as a type 1 diabetic, even if you got your mind set on it and your heart in the right place, finding the energy and motivation is a job in itself.  
I flunked out of college...twice.  I missed too many classes.  Too often I was found laying in my dorm in sweat and misery with high blood sugar.  In fact, I was probably the last person in America to learn about 9/11.  I didn't wake up until 4pm that day.  My room mate shook me awake and I got up just in time to see World Trade Center 7 come crashing down live on tv.  
With most critical diseases like cancer or AIDS, group therapy is helpful.  However, I have found with type 1 diabetes that even a veteran diabetic type 1 has little to offer in the way of advice for another.  For no two diabetics go through the same as another.  But I will go on a limp and at least tell you how I've dealt with the issue you address.  
Not good...!!
I've gone through at least twenty different jobs in the past ten years.  Companies only allow a certain amount of sick days.  Less than my health issues demanded.  I was finally put on disability income.  That's an option for you.  If you choose to go that route, make sure you get a lawyer to help you with your claim.  You won't have to pay for his services if you loose the claim.  Disability has really helped with my medical bills that include glucose strips, syringes, insulin, etc, etc because they also put me on Medicare.  
But you can still work.  I have a job now.  Because of my diabetes, I am unable to work more than twenty or so hours a week.  So thankfully what income I don't get with my hours, I get through my disability income.  
The most important thing to remember with diabetes type one is to never give up on anything.  Just because working and doing is much easier for other people than it is for us does not make anyone any better than you.  Accept your diabetes and admit and be at peace with the things you have to deal with that are different from other peoples' issues.  And don't get yourself down if you learn that some diabetic type 1 just climbed Mt. Everest but you have a hard time just making it through a normal day.  DIABETES TYPE 1 EFFECTS EVERY SINGLE PERSON DIFFERENTLY.  So do and be what you can.  Very importantly, do what you love.  Your diabetes won't limit the unique kind of gifts you were born with.  
Go get em' tiger.

[stackchips]

damn another nice comment....


but i would think having a regular work sched. helps me keep a good sched. with meds and such... also everyone is diff....however it gets annoying when at work and you have to do a shot, or something.... especially trying to cover for it too.  gets kind of annoying...

i cant even remember what i was gonna say...oh well

[khicktx]

I just wanted to tell you what everyone else has always told me, that you are no different from anybody else, because every one is different. Don't let diabetes be an excuse. I work as a teacher and I have often worried about my blood sugar going too low while teaching and having no one to cover my class while I go take care of that. Because of those worries my diabetes has become more controllable because I test my blood sugar more often so that I don't have any complications during the day.

You are definately right about needing/wanting a job that gives you stability. That helps you know when you will be eating and testing.

About the EMT thing...I think the only difficult thing for you will be getting through EMT school. I had a boyfriend once who went through it and I know how grueling it can be (depending on where you are located and go to school). But once you get through that it is up to you to find a job. Once you have a job all you have to say is "Look, I have type 1 diabetes and if such and such ever happens to me check my blood sugar first, that could be it." But otherwise, you are 18 and should be able to carry the responsibilities it takes to take care of yourself while on the job, even if that means carrying glucose tabs in your pocket, or a small backpack equiped with your meds.

Good luck, and don't act like it is hard! We all are different and have obstacles, but don't let your diabetes be one of them!

[KevinHarney]

I am a 43 yr old Diabetic and I have been diagnosed for several years now.  I can say this there may be a couple jobs that you can not do because you are diabetic like driving a truck - because you need a CDL and can not get one with Diabetes or the military - though I am not sure that is true any longer.  I just saw a very insipring story about a soldier that was in Iraq for 3 tours of duty and what he had to go through.  But the long and the short is that this is not a disease that should debilitate you in any form if you take care of it.  You can and should do ANYTHING that you like.  Going into the medical field of all places you will find that out quite rapidly.  Do not use it as an excuse and move forward with anything that your heart desires.  You can do it as long as you make simple adjustments.  I have had jobs where I walk for 8 hours a day and desk jobs where I sit all day.  And there are days that I do lots of exercise and days of none.  Adjust to the situation and move on doing what you want to do.

Hope this helps you out.

Kevin