Dispelling a few myths

Throughout this week we’ll be sharing stories from around the business to highlight our inclusion campaign - Altogether Different.

Lead sales information analyst, Bob Heyes, has Type 1 diabetes. He is a member of our Disability steering group.

Currently, there are an estimated four million people living with diabetes in the UK, including it is believed 549,000 people who are yet to be diagnosed. This represents 6% of the UK population, or one in every 16 people.

‘This is a snapshot into my life as an insulin-dependent diabetic,’ said Bob. ‘It’s winter 1977 and I am a physically fit 21-year-old man. Suddenly, and I mean suddenly, I lost five stone, I was drinking tonnes of sugary drinks, going to the loo all the time, and looking very pale and interesting!

‘My GP said he thought I had diabetes, which didn’t mean much to me at the time. Talk about a learning curve. So, was it all bad news? Let’s look at a few myths surrounding diabetes and ask, is it really as bad as some people make out?  

‘Myth one: You lose your limbs and sight. Yes, both of these can happen, but they are not by any means, inevitable. Diabetes can affect your vision for sure; but you can limit the risks by controlling your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Losing limbs and getting blood clots are caused by circulation issues that can arise with diabetes if not controlled properly. So, keeping active and controlling your cholesterol helps.

‘Myth two: I will have to stick needles in my arms every day for the rest of my life. Well at least we have a “rest of our life” now. Back in the 1920s, people died from the condition because insulin didn’t exist, so everything’s relative, right? When I first injected myself in 1978 I didn’t even know what a subcutaneous injection was, but I was cocooned in hospital using a nice disposable hospital syringe. Then, they sent me home with this glass monstrosity of a hypodermic syringe and needles that would halt a rhino in its tracks. The trick was learning how not to hurt yourself, where to inject, and most importantly, how to look after your syringe.

‘In the 1980s, disposable plastic syringes came on the market and we began to get them on prescription, what a blessed relief. Better still, since the 1990s we have had insulin pens which are fantastic devices as you can slip them in your pocket, jacket, or handbag. Insulin cartridges are kept inside, you just dial a dose, click the button and it's done - it’s simple and unobtrusive.

‘Myth three: The world will run out of insulin. Artificial (human or man-made) insulin has been on the market since the 1970s. I can remember switching from the insulin synthesised from animals to human insulin in the 1980s because I lost all the warning signs that my blood sugar was too low, which the animal insulin carried. Instead, I had to watch for the signs; sweating, an elevated heart-rate, dizziness, and loss of concentration.

‘Anyone who was working on the counter with me in Newton St Post Office in the 1980s when I had a spectacular melt-down will tell you that (a) you can miss the signs very easily and (b) how funny it can be when it happens. It happened to me on one of Pauline Vicker’s Worktime Listening and Learning calls not that long ago, mid-presentation. People who don’t know you nor understand the effects of low blood sugar think you have lost the plot. I guess you do temporarily. It isn’t nice but I suppose there are worse things in life.

‘Myth four: You can suddenly go into a diabetic coma if you’re not careful. Not true. Low blood sugar (Hypoglycaemia) can disrupt your senses and affect your vision, awareness and concentration, but it’s usually quickly corrected with glucose. If it goes unchecked you can pass out (worst case) or become sleepy - you definitely shouldn’t drive or operate machinery when your blood sugar is too low - but you come around and nobody with low blood sugar goes into a coma.

‘High blood sugar (Hyperglycaemia) is a much more progressive and dangerous thing. If you’re ill for example, it will force your glucose levels up and you will need to get medical help to attack the cause. But it takes two or three days of consistently high glucose readings to send you into a coma.

‘It’s all about looking after yourself, being systematic, and taking your doctors’ advice. You have a much better chance of a long and normal life if you understand your condition, respect it, and stay in control.

‘That means checking your glucose levels regularly, taking exercise if you can - remembering to watch your glucose levels before and after exercise - trying to eat the right things, carrying glucose drinks like Lucozade around with you, eating chocolate sometimes but not to excess, and attending the clinic every three months. Basically, it’s all about being sensible, looking after yourself and living your life. Now where’s that Mars bar gone?’

Watch our video below to hear more on what it feels like to be included.

Supporting colleagues with disabilities

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Making our business a place where colleagues with disabilities can achieve their potential remains a priority.

Our Disability steering group was established in 2014, with its key objective being to improve the experience of disabled colleagues at Royal Mail. Call our internal disability helpline on 0800 028 6142 for advice if you are a disabled employee or manager looking for support with organising reasonable adjustments.

For more information on how to obtain support from the group or if you would like advice on managing someone with a disability, please contact DisabilitySteeringGroup@royalmail.com.