Census Form

I would tend to agree with those that say it affects you. If not denying would suggest that we al can ignore diabetes and the way it influences decisions. Yes we can control it but we ignore it at our peril. How many of us would drive if we were having a hypo ?

If we all put (c) No then the Coalition Government will decide diabetes care can be cut, DAFNE can be done away with, testing strips are pointless. Remember we won't get another chance to tell Government that our daily lifes are influenced by Diabetes. How many of us would opt to have diabetes if given the choice ??

Although I ensure that my diabetes does not have any control on my life, you are right we need to indicate (b) on the census. Many of us do self manage the condition, but what about the scores of us who don't, or can't. Plus, today I can manage my condition, but what about tomorrow and the day after. Reading behind the lines, if our answers on the census may have any influence on spending within the NHS we need to take care when answering this question.
My vote goes for (b).

The question is directed at each individual on the census form, so it is that person's opinion about whether it limits his or her activities. We should't be answering it on behalf of other people. In any case, there is no way of linking answers to medical conditions such as diabetes. The question does say 'day-to-day activities', which, for me anyway, does not include climbing up mountains.

Hi

I would agree with Alan Constable that each individual should complete the Census Form in accordance with his/her opinion of what a truthful answer is.

In my case diabetes has an influence in my life style and I don't climb mountains everyday of the week. I would suggest that
Alan's life may have been improved as a result of attending DAFNE. He is fortunate to have been there as am I (considering the waiting list for places/ the limited numbers that can attend.

I put forward the question to gauge the response generally and not to influence how others should respond.

Vic, for me there is a difference between 'affected' and 'limited'. I agree we are all affected but I don't consider myself 'limited' in anyway. For any activity regardless of your condition you should do some sort of preperation be it climbing a mountain our just going to work. I ticked 'c', but that just a personnal opinion and others may feel 'b' or even 'a' is more applicable.

Well put marke.................

Some people may feel limited, others not.........so answering honestly is the moral of the story as the census is all about getting a feel for the people taking part...........

Be it climbing a mountain, jumping out of an aeroplane, scuba diving or more mundane activities like dancing the night away, rowing down the Thames or getting lashed, all are affected by diabetes.

Seems to have caused quite a lot of different opinion and that's to be expected.

I think that I'll stick with my answer b as i do feel that diabetes certainly limits what I do if only being aware that if I were to decide to climb a mountain (God forbid) then I would certainly think would it be sensible to do in the light of my diabetes

Think how your life would change if you were suddenly not diabetic...then you would realize how effected your life is. Maybe we have all been diabetic for too long and have lost our sense of "normal".
I'd tick b).

Helen

I feel that it has changed my life and does limit my activities. Simple things like driving a car is not a case of just jumping in the car and driving off.
Technically we should check our blood prior to driving, so there is an impact.
Since completing DAFNE we need to calculate the CP and have an injection so diabetes does effect my life though it isn't that significant.