You Tube Tuesday - Diabetes Kills
Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 10:42AM This video is the latest campaign from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).
They do a lot of great things all around the world and frankly I have a big place in my heart for them.
In their words:
The objective of this PSA is to make the general public think twice about diabetes, break stereotypes and encourage them to want to learn more about diabetes. Too often diabetes is over looked by those with the power to fund research opportunities and make political decisions that influence health outcomes for people with diabetes.
Check out the video and I'll give you my thoughts below afterwards.
My first reaction was to stop it. Seeing that guy fall to the ground made me sick to my stomach. When I finally watched the whole thing I got really angry.
Fear paralyses me, it does not motivate me.
I see people with diabetes that have lost their sight, their limbs, their freedom due to dialasys and it doesn't make me want to take better care of myself. It makes me terribly sad for those people who have been victims of diabetes. They cannot grow limbs again, what are they to do? It makes me sick to my stomach.
And people who don't have it think its not a big deal at all! They think, "oh be happy you have something you can manage instead of cancer." They always say that! I get so mad! If only they knew! They knew what is at stake and how scary it all is. If only they understood that diabetes kills people!
And that was when I got it.
This video is not for PWD's. It is for those who have no clue about it. The ones that think it's no big deal and who ignore it.
People need to know what the world is up against. Because if we don't all take it seriously it is going to take even more eyes, legs, kidneys, and lives.
We need to educate everyone about this epidemic. And hopefully we will be able to save lots of lives, limbs, and loved ones.
Reader Comments (8)
I wrote a post on this today, too. My big issue with this isn't the fact that it's not for PWDs - I get that. What I have an issue with is that we (as in us via the IDF) are, essentially shaping the story about what people think of first when they hear about diabetes. There is no distinction made between types. There's a message that diabetes comes out of nowhere, and will kill you. That is not what I want the general public thinking first about MY diabetes. As there's no distinction, I can only assume by watching that this PSA is indeed about MY diabetes and educating the outside world about what I'm living with. When you are dealing with an uninformed and often stereotype-influenced general public, and lineup of government officials, the last thing I want an organization like IDF doing is painting a picture that any PWD's fate is set to end with a tombstone or life-threatening complications. Or that "you didn't learn how to stay healthy, Mike, and so it's your fault these things are happening." That is the message I fear will come from this, as the non-D world sees and responds to this. Sure, it's not FOR me or us. But it's ABOUT us, and will influence how the world sees us and thinks about diabetes. A little more focus and detail in this PSA easily could have solved that and made it 59 seconds rather than 54... but, this is what we ended up with and now PWDs are on the receiving end of whatever results from the promo.
Honestly, I thought of it the same way you did. I got angry, but then I realized it's not for us... it's for everyone else. Sort of goes back to the anger that surrounded the "1 in 20" JDRF poster. It's not for us, it's for others to know that it IS a deadly disease whether we work to manage it or not. I'm just thankful they didn't do in the video what I feared the most... the black cloud encircling a child sleeping.... though it happens in real life.
While I agree that it is good for people to understand the seriousness of diabetes, and that it can strike anyone, I cannot help but think of a friend from church whose son was just diagnosed. They are dealing with a lot of emotions, and doing their best to stay strong as they adapt to the realization that it means life long changes. I would absolutely HATE for them to see this video. For me, that is enough reason to think that a different approach would be so much better. More powerful would be some short interview clips from people with diabetes about different aspects of living with the disease. Maybe one finishing a marathon, one explaining how many tests they do each day and how it makes them feel, another telling what it feels like to have low blood sugar, another who has one or more complications and how that has impacted them, and maybe someone who has lived with it for 50 years.
Mike - I agree with a lot of what you are saying and torn about other parts of it. the sad part is that most people will not even pay attention to this PSA at all anyway. How can we educate when we don't seem to know how to do it right?
Sarah - As depressing as this stuff is I think there is some truth in it. Maybe not for you or I but for many I think it can sneak up on you. You can ignore it and it can take your life away.
Carol - I agree that no newly diagnosed person and especially the parent of a child with diabetes should see this. They need the "You Can Do This" video project. That will help a lot I think.
I had the same conversation on my facebook wall today. There are people in my life who don't know that their diabetes is serious. Their doctor (who they LOVE) doesn't take it seriously so they don't either. It's killing them a little more every day. That's scarier than a smoke monster!
I'm sorry but the black cloud thing reminds me of the show Lost. I like that they are portraying it as a serious disease, but believe it could have been conveyed in a more meaningful, educational way.
I like your perspective on it, G-Money. I still don't much like the PSA, but I do agree with you.
this is one of the most ridiculous videos I have ever seen, made by somebody who apparently has no idea what he is talking about and/or has no imagination whatsoever! Really, its simply so stupid..what is it some airborne monster??!! Its so dumb that I am actually sitting here and typing a comment on it, something I never do. But the fact that it is by the an International federation, which has so much power and responsibility..Whether it is for the general public or for the medicos..its simply demented!