Part 12 of the “What Does It All Mean?” series, a real-life reflection on living with Type 1 Diabetes, written by Dennis Goldensohn, who has lived with T1D for nearly 60 years.
By Dennis Goldensohn: T1D for nearly 60 years, advocate, and mentor
Diabetes Stigma and Discrimination
Each day we deal with many responsibilities, and one of the biggest is managing our diabetes. Above all, this usually takes precedence over everything else. At times it seems to be a never-ending challenge, but we still have hope and do our best to achieve positive outcomes through our diabetes management.
And yet, there are those who discourage us with negative statements and judgments. This can cause us to retreat or hide our diabetes because we begin to think it is somehow our fault or that we could have avoided it.
Diabetes Is Not a Choice
Those of us who live with diabetes never asked to have it. It is an autoimmune disease, and it can happen to anyone. Our bodies view our insulin-producing cells as the enemy and attack and destroy them. As a result, we need insulin to manage our blood glucose levels.
This becomes a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week responsibility that does not end, at least not until a cure is found.
The Impact of Diabetes Stigma
Have you ever heard of the “Food Detectives”? They are the ones who ask, “Should you be eating that?” or “I didn’t know you could eat that!”
Then there are those who say:
“It is your fault you have diabetes.”
“You should have taken better care of yourself.”
“If you had exercised more and lost weight, you wouldn’t have gotten diabetes.”
And the comments just keep coming from people who are not informed or educated about what diabetes is or why it happens.
These statements are not welcome, and they certainly do not help people living with diabetes maintain a positive outlook. They are degrading and, to say the least, highly inappropriate.
When Stigma Becomes Discrimination
The next issue is diabetes discrimination.
People living with diabetes sometimes worry that their condition will be held against them when applying for employment. Some job applications ask questions such as, “Do you have any medical conditions that would affect your ability to perform this job?”
Then there is the question of health coverage: Should I disclose that I have diabetes?
There have been instances where individuals have been told that, because they have diabetes, they may not be able to perform the duties required for a particular role. As a result, some people choose not to disclose that they have diabetes.
Why should anyone have to hide their diabetes?
Hiding Diabetes
Some people will hide their CGMs or insulin pumps because they do not want others to know they have diabetes.
Others who manage their diabetes with multiple daily injections (MDI) will go out of their way to avoid being seen taking insulin.
All of this adds to the emotional and psychological burden of living with diabetes. It becomes much more difficult to successfully manage diabetes when these situations exist.
Becoming Our Own Best Advocates
For someone like me, who has been living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) for more than 58 years, the thought of diabetes stigma and discrimination is simply unacceptable and must be eliminated.
It adds no value. Instead, it discourages people living with diabetes and can make them feel as though their condition is somehow their fault.
This must stop.
I have always said that we who live with diabetes are our own best advocates.
We must help educate those who simply do not understand the who, what, when, why, and how of diabetes.
If someone notices your CGM, explain what it is and why you wear it. Do not hide it.
If you use an insulin pump or manage your diabetes with multiple daily injections (MDI), explain why this technology or treatment is essential.
Every conversation helps increase understanding. The more people who learn the facts, the more they can educate others.
Word of mouth is a powerful way to reduce stigma.
Why? I do it, and it works!
A Global Movement to End Diabetes Stigma
Now for the good news.
Several years ago, a global effort was launched to end diabetes stigma and discrimination. It is called The Pledge.
It asks people around the world to sign a petition supporting the belief that no one should experience diabetes stigma or discrimination.
The website is:
I signed it, and I encourage others to do the same.
There was also a global conference held on March 28–29, 2026, where people from around the world gathered to discuss these issues and develop strategies to eliminate diabetes stigma and discrimination.
Participants included countries, corporations, diabetes organizations, and individuals.
It is a monumental challenge, but one that must be achieved.
Standing Together
Diabetes stigma and discrimination have no place in our society, and we must all work toward eliminating them.
But it starts with us, those of us living with diabetes every single day.
We are our own best advocates, and we must stand together to send a clear message that we will no longer accept diabetes stigma and discrimination.
Then we should sign the Global Pledge so that, together, we can help create meaningful change around the world.
For us to manage our diabetes successfully, diabetes stigma and discrimination need to be eliminated.
It is in all of our best interests to make that happen.
………………and that is what eliminating Diabetes Stigma and Discrimination means!
What Is This Series?
At Diapoint, we believe that the most powerful education comes from real people and real lives lived with diabetes.
That’s why we’re proud to introduce a new blog series by Dennis Goldensohn.
Dennis has been living with Type 1 Diabetes for nearly six decades, diagnosed at just 16 years old, and now approaching 59 years of life with T1D, without complications. His journey is not only a testament to resilience but also to what is possible with the right mindset and support.
Beyond his personal experience, Dennis brings a lifetime of dedication to service and advocacy. He spent 45 years working in aerospace manufacturing, while also volunteering with organizations such as JDF, JDRF, Breakthrough T1D, DPAC, and the Diabetes Research Institute. Today, he continues to mentor young people navigating their futures, while sharing his lived experience with diabetes to support others.
His series, “What Does It All Mean?”, is exactly what it sounds like: a reflection on life with diabetes, beyond the numbers, beyond the devices, and beyond the daily routines.
Through this series, Dennis explores:
- The realities of living with diabetes every single day,
- The misconceptions and stigma people face,
- The history and progress of diabetes care,
- The power of community, advocacy, and teamwork,
- And ultimately, what it truly means to live a full, successful life with diabetes.
This is not just education. This is perspective and lived experience.
And above all, this is reassurance that yes, you can.
