I come from a family with a history of diabetes, so this is perhaps the single most frustrating accusation I experience.
Ever since I was diagnosed, my family likes telling me I'm using my diabetes as a crutch. I am constantly being compared to the other Type 1s in my family. I may have the same condition as they do, but I'm not them!
My aunt, my mom's sister, is much older than me and is my closest related fellow Type 1. She's come right out and said she never exercises and only eats low carb / low calorie cereal day in and day out.
My diabetes is heavily influenced by my emotions. Things like finals and term papers when I was in college, or a looming, important deadline at work is enough to set me off a 300 - 50 roller coaster. A death in the family spells utter havoc. It's exhausting and they just don't get it!
I get that my older relatives can't handle certain foods. I'm not them. They tell me I can't eat Chinese, Mexican, and a long list of cuisine because my much older relatives can't handle them. Yes, I can. I'm not them!
Holidays are especially stressful. They like driving me away from foods I can handle and trying to make me eat all the things I can't. My last several Christmas dinners with them have consisted of diet soda and a low carb yogurt. I usually have to leave to find some real food before I suffer from a low or eat before I go. I'm about ready to to start skipping family holidays for my own sanity.
They provide dishes that my step-grandma with celiac can handle, but I receive flak if I bring a diabetic-friendly dish. Just because I won't dream of touching their Sugar Tarts, Pecan Pie, or Tablet doesn't mean I'm being stubborn or a drama queen. While I I know I can just adjust my insulin, they're much too sweet and rich for me. I won't be feeling well, no matter what my blood glucose levels are at the end.
They won't listen to my real reasons and immediately declare once again that I'm using my diabetes as a crutch.
They hate my animals and want me to get rid of them. However, my dog, without any training has become an alert dog. She's woken me up numerous times because I've gone too low. She even alerted me once after I had surgery and was too doped on pain medication to notice my impending low. They've yet to provide a rational reason why I should get rid of my pets, just that I'm using my diabetes as a crutch.
I get along just fine the other 365 days of the year. I don't get it!