In 2011, Diabetes Australia released a position statement, ‘A new language for diabetes’. This important document addresses how to improve communications with and about people living with diabetes.

I am a word nerd. I love reading and I am a blogger, so spend quite a bit of my time writing. I love to see how words can be crafted into powerful messages that resonate with people. And when it comes to diabetes, the words we use to tell our stories are incredibly important.

Words cut both ways
Words empower people, however they can just as easily disempower. This is why I never use the word ‘sufferer’ when referring to myself or others living with diabetes. I believe the term serves only to portray people with diabetes as victims and I certainly don’t consider myself a victim. I would hate others to see me that way. I don’t think it does us any favours when we are described as objects of pity – it contributes to stigma and, I believe, paves the way for discrimination.

I also don’t use the word ‘diabetic’ to describe someone. Instead, I use the far less economical ‘person with diabetes’. There are arguments for and against using this noun. I choose not to, because I believe that it becomes the central focus of the person. I am far more than my diabetes – it is merely one part of me!

The language we use to describe ourselves as people with diabetes is a personal choice and no one should feel compelled to use particular words or feel offended by terms. If someone is comfortable saying “I am (a) diabeticâ€, it is up to them. As a diabetes organisation, Diabetes Australia believes that we need to consider the person as far more than the medical condition. The position statement states:

The term ‘diabetic’ defines the individual as their health condition. It is better to emphasise the person’s ability to live with diabetes. Labelling someone as ‘diabetic’ positions diabetes as the defining factor of their life.

Medicos and journalists, take note
Health professionals also need to be mindful of the words they use. Too frequently, I hear people with diabetes being dismissed and defined by their medical condition. Once, when I was in hospital with a terrible gastro bug, I heard myself being referred to as “the DKA [diabetes ketoacidosis] in bed twoâ€. In-between vomiting, I made sure
the nurse never used that sort of terminology again while I was in earshot!

Unfortunately, this is a huge battle. The media is one of the main perpetrators of poor language when reporting diabetes. I find myself throwing (soft) things at the TV and yelling at newspapers when diabetes is the topic of discussion. Never satisfied to just rant and rave in my own home, I regularly find myself contacting journalists who misreport diabetes and use language that doesn’t correspond with the DA’s language position statement.

When writing, I use language that I hope provides a positive, powerful message about diabetes. As a speaker and presenter at conferences or a media spokesperson, I also hope to portray diabetes in a constructive way. If people felt that this wasn’t the case — that the way I was describing diabetes was damaging — they would get in touch and tell me so.

What you can do to help
On a personal level, consider the language you use when describing your life with diabetes. If you are the loved one of someone with diabetes, what sorts of words do you use to describe them (or diabetes)? Consider how others could interpret what you are saying.

If you see diabetes described in a patronising, disempowering, negative way in the media, take the time to get in touch with the journalist. It can be a short email direct to the outlet. If you are on Twitter, consider tweeting them. Or even write a
letter to the editor. I always link to the DA position statement in the hope that this will be considered in future reporting of diabetes.

Words have power. We need to consider that when we are speaking about diabetes. Use them wisely. Use them to help, not hinder.

This article was originally published in Conquest magazine published by Health Publishing Australia