Medical conditions can be difficult to deal with.
Depending on the issue, it can impact your everyday existence.
So what can be done when someone takes offense to your medical requirements?
This was the issue facing Redittor and Original Poster (OP) Throw___away_54 when he came to the “Am I the A**hole” (AITA) subreddit for a ruling.
They asked:
“AITA for taking my insulin injection in my thigh, in a quiet place”
First, the setup.
“Forced under duress to go to my brother’s GF’s (Girlfriend’s) house for dinner, a sort of both families meet each other type thing, anyway, I am a type-1 diabetic and have been since I was 6 years old”
Awkward but necessary.
“Insulin over the school year is awkward by itself but I got past that, anyway, when I am usually out I take my insulin in my stomach however I prefer to do it in my thigh when I’m at home or somewhere else private.”
Preference is important.
“Parents of friends when I go round have always been fine with me taking it in my leg. It is just way more comfortable in my leg and isn’t sharp at all”
“I went found an area with a small table (for me to put my kit) and went and took it in my leg.”
“I was wearing shorts (very casual event before someone yells at me for wearing shorts).”
Shorts are in fashion this year.
“I pulled the one leg of my shorts up and went and took it in my leg, nothing down there was showing, zero exhibitionism whatsoever + it was about 15 minutes before, the ideal time to take rapid insulin”
Medication needs to be taken appropriately.
“I was asked what I was doing and my brother’s GF’s mum went off at me saying that there was nothing to hide and that they were upset I pulled one leg of my shorts slightly higher to take it when ‘there’s other ways to do it’. “
Brother’s Girlfriend’s family was displeased.
“She seen me with one of my friends, taking my insulin in my stomach in public, taking my injection when at McDonald’s because fast food usually takes less than 15 mins”
“Anyway, brother’s GF’s parents must’ve told them and my parents that I was rude because I had an earful from my brother and his girlfriend saying it was rude and I should let them warm to me before taking my insulin like that”
Apparently, so was his own family.
“I just told them that it was comfortable for me, his GF’s parents aren’t my parents or parent in-laws at all, and that I went into a quiet space anyway”
Left to question the administration of his medication, OP came to Reddit for judgment.
Redditors weighed in by declaring:
- NTA – Not The A**hole
- YTA – You’re The A**hole
- NAH – No A**holes Here
- ESH – Everyone Sucks Here
Redditors decided: NTA
Some got right to the point.
“Next time you should do it at the dinner table, and then tell them it’s customary to give the diabetic gifts after their first public injection in a new social circle, as a sign of acceptance.”~WebbieVanderquack
Others were baffled how the administration could be rude.
“Like the only way I could see injecting in front of someone being rude is if you knew they have a phobia or a trigger.”
“And at that point the solution isn’t for you to hide away in the bathroom, it’s to just do it where they specifically can’t see or to give them a heads up so they can turn around or leave the room themselves.”
“People get themselves wound up about the dumbest things”~relative_void
And,
“NTA. I used to take humira and other injections in my thigh on a regular basis. No one has ever made it an issue. These people are crazy and ablest.”~lurk_no_touch
While others were just generally baffled.
“I don’t get what they were even upset about though?”
“That you injected insulin at all, or that you did it in your leg instead of your stomach like it’s somehow more appropriate to lift up your shirt than it was to lift your shorts? What a bunch of weirdos.”~we-vegotmagictodo
Or,
“I’m sorry, what? They are uncomfortable with you taking life-saving medication in your thigh? WTAF (What the Actual F*ck)?
That takes the word prude to a whole new level. Take your medication however you like, in the most comfortable way for you, and don’t give it a second thought. You are definitely NTA here.~mummywithatummy21
There were even warm memories about shared experiences.
“I mean, I do have happy memories of ‘helping’ my granddad take his insulin. I would stand with him when he did his finger prick (I would sometimes do it too) and read the numbers for him. Then he’d get his insulin and take his shot.”
“I honestly can’t remember where he took it, which is funny because he had to test multiple times a day. And each time I’d go off with him to ‘help’.”
“So in the case of a literal kid, it can be a shared moment. But I wouldn’t do that with anybody else!”~ X-cited
There were those who even tried to see it from the other side.
”
“Some people have a stigma about that kind of stuff.”
“My dad is type 2 and I remember my mom thinking it was so rude and gross for him to test at the table or in front of people.”
“When I started dating my now husband, type 1, I had to sit her down and explain it and try to destigmatize her. It took a little bit, but worked.”
“NTA OP, but maybe sit down your brother and see if this is a stigma thing or modesty thing.”
“It seems like the latter to me, but you never know.”
“Sometimes people put it as one way to save face because it being a modesty thing is more acceptable than having an uninformed stigma on a chronic disease and they may know that deep down.”
“They may have been thinking since it was a private house, you might go to the restroom or something to do it.”
“Edit to add last sentence for clarification.”~Logical-Demand-7925
Shared spaces can be difficult to navigate.
Particularly when you have to deal with something that not everyone is comfortable with.
It’s important to remember, though, that we can all try to be a bit more accepting of the needs of others.
Particularly when those needs are medications.