kobidog Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 (edited) It would be greatly appreciated if you could sign this petition, obviously only if you agree with it, it doesnt take long! My mate who is 16, the same age as me made this petition he has wanted to join the armed forces as soon as he can for a long time but can't because he is diabetic. I don't want to start any debates or arguments, if you read the description on the petition you will see he fully understands the fact that a frontline role would be unacceptable for obvious risk reasons..thankyou very much! Follow this link please, thankyou http://epetitions.di...petitions/41150 Edited November 7, 2012 by kobidog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh1 Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Sorry but i agree with the armed forces,even a lowly clerk(no disrespect intended) is trained as an infantryman,so should they be called upon they can fight. My mate was a bit of a flyer,training NCO picked out for promotion etc,and he became diabetic,he ended up in a workshop as a chippie,he couldn't go on an exercise as his insulin needed to be kept in a fridge,and even though we took portable workshops with generators we could not guarantee the fridges would work constantly,he did manage one promotion after a lot of years,but ended up taking redundancy. There is a difference between being injured/becoming Diabetic when in the forces and being kept on,but you cannot recruit people who are already injured/diabetic,how would your mate complete the basic training that all troops go through,the forced marches,runs,exercises.there are no fridges on the top of the Brecons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 I was Diabetic for 30 years and dreamt of joining the RAF since I was a child.I had to accept that no matter how small the risk might be-you cannot introduce the unknown into any scenario where peoples are at risk.If he has any respect for the Armed forces he will stop this petition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kobidog Posted November 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Welsh1 I asked my friend about this and actually said that his insulin does not have to be refrigerated so that this would not pose a problem...anyway as i have already said, I do not know enough about this topic to argue about it, or even have an oppinion to be honest. I just thought that i would share this petition so that other people can see it and sign it if they agree with it. I fully understand if people disagree, I don't know enough to debate the situation...I dont want to cause any arguments atall, thankyou for replying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerettaSV10 Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 (edited) I have to agree with the above posters. I have been diabetic for around 14 years, being type 2 means I just pop the pills as required, but being on excersise could mean going from stable ish to wild swings in suger levels and could mean switching to a combination of pills and insulin. Also not only is the problem of being a diabetic, is the secondary illnesses brought on by by diabetus. My suger levels have been fairly stable with a few glitches, but still have secondary complications and and are on 12 different medications. One of the them being Diabetic neuropathy where the nerve endings in the feet are damaged resulting in the loss of feeling, constant pain, pins and needles, also the feet feeling hot and cold. Add to this if injured in the feet one might not know you are hurt this then can have the nock on effect that the wounds will not heal and result in ulcers. I only have to cut my legs and while they heal of sorts I am left with bruise type scar that does not heal completly. While I appreciate your mates desire to join the forces, I don't think the risk is worth it, because as already stated if in the forces you could be posted anywhere even if the job was an office type job, one could still be deployed to the front lines areas in support of the troups and they may not have the facillities to support such a medical condition. Edited November 7, 2012 by BerettaSV10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasper3 Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 the problem here is every one who joins up could and would be expected to serve in a war zone , now even if they were stationed at the main camp. lets just for arguments sake say ,, like camp bastion in afghanistan even the cooks and clerks would be expected to fight if the camp came under attack, a soldier who depended on medication could more than likely become a liability....... I had to leave the army because I ended up getting asthma ...I was gutted, but i would hate to have been a liability to my fellow soldiers .... I feel sorry for the lad..it was my dream and i am glad i did serve.... but you learn..its not just about you..its about being part of a team and being 100% fit to support that team .... maybe he could train up and become an adult instructor in the army cadets..(a very worthy group) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh1 Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 (edited) Welsh1 I asked my friend about this and actually said that his insulin does not have to be refrigerated so that this would not pose a problem...anyway as i have already said, I do not know enough about this topic to argue about it, or even have an oppinion to be honest. I just thought that i would share this petition so that other people can see it and sign it if they agree with it. I fully understand if people disagree, I don't know enough to debate the situation...I dont want to cause any arguments atall, thankyou for replying It's ok mate,you won't cause arguments posting anything on here,now heated debates and slagging matches that's different Your mate is right about different types of diabetes,there is type 1 is where you need injections,and type2 is controlled by diet,the trouble with type 1 is the fridge scenario, but if you are type 2 the problem is if you get your diet a bit wrong and eat the wrong things,there is a chance of diabetic coma,and unless your mates are switched on things can go wrong, and if you are in the middle of nowhere on a hill then you put all your mates in danger. Now stating all that i have mates that climb mountains and do extreme skiing,but they plan plan plan. My mate that i mentioned before was found by us outside the workshop unconscious one morning,one of the lads grabbed a spoon of sugar and put it in his mouth and he came round very quickly,all he had done was skip breakfast,which in turn put his levels out and he passed out,it is that simple to do. Berretasv10 has replied with a lot more knowledge than i have on the subject Edited November 7, 2012 by welsh1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulABF Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 It would be greatly appreciated if you could sign this petition, obviously only if you agree with it, it doesnt take long! My mate who is 16, the same age as me made this petition he has wanted to join the armed forces as soon as he can for a long time but can't because he is diabetic. I don't want to start any debates or arguments, if you read the description on the petition you will see he fully understands the fact that a frontline role would be unacceptable for obvious risk reasons..thankyou very much! Follow this link please, thankyou http://epetitions.di...petitions/41150 Let's petition to allow epileptics to join too. How about those with chronic asthma? Get a grip. The rules are there for a reason. We couldn't get fresh water, ammo resupply or food flown into the FOBs in Helmand in 2006 for a couple of weeks. You're royally shafted if you were waiting on some insulin to arrive. Grow up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 It's ok mate,you won't cause arguments posting anything on here,now heated debates and slagging matches that's different Your mate is right about different types of diabetes,there is type 1 is where you need injections,and type2 is controlled by diet,the trouble with type 1 is the fridge scenario, but if you are type 2 the problem is if you get your diet a bit wrong and eat the wrong things,there is a chance of diabetic coma,and unless your mates are switched on things can go wrong, and if you are in the middle of nowhere on a hill then you put all your mates in danger. Now stating all that i have mates that climb mountains and do extreme skiing,but they plan plan plan. My mate that i mentioned before was found by us outside the workshop unconscious one morning,one of the lads grabbed a spoon of sugar and put it in his mouth and he came round very quickly,all he had done was skip breakfast,which in turn put his levels out and he passed out,it is that simple to do. Berretasv10 has replied with a lot more knowledge than i have on the subject You need to read up a bit on diabetic treatment, to be fair its much misunderstood even within nursing staff etc. No way is a diabetic suitable for recruitment into the armed forces type 1 or type 2 ( i am type 2 myself) the problem goes way beyond combat situations and frontlines tend to move. As sad as it might make the op's mate not everyone is suited to any career path they might wish to take Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pushkin Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 I admire your mate for the fact he wants to join up. The problem is that any diabetic can become very unpredictable - regardless of how good they have monitored their sugar levels. What makes them so unpredictable is the way their sugar content can change alarmingly in minutes due to increased effort physically, mentally or even due to fluctuations in the heat or cold. It is enough to have an argument with a diabetic to make their sugars surge alarmingly - it is not their fault or that of the other person - it is just fact. Like many on this forum; I too am a diabetic - type 2 but I use insulin 4 times a day or more if required as well as tablets - and I am one of the good ones who really monitors their sugar levels and at my last clinic appointment in July I was told not to come back until January/february because I had it so well under control. But I still need all the prescriptions and all the other bits and pieces that you need to to inject and test daily - how can the forces supply all that all the time to ensure he doesn't run out?. Insulin should be kept at a reaonably low temperature as it deteriorates in quality if not.. Britain has one of the best diabetic hospital and clinical aftercare and support systems in the world and I reckon the army or whatever would strongly go by their advice. You are a good mate for bringing this up on his behalf but I think it is a non-runner from the word go. Even going abroad on holiday is a bit of a paddy to set up and ensure you have all you need with you - including a letter from a GP to say why you have syringe equipment and want to go through customs! All the best man. Pushkin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbust Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 I am sorry to say that no matter if you got mega signatures the forces would not allow your friend to join up, the reasons have been discussed above. I feel for him because I know exactly what effect it will be having on him, as I have had to break the news to candidates on numerous occassions when people have tried to get away without disclosing their illness. Unfortunately when they go to the Recruit Selection Centre it normally comes out and if not then once the med docs are received. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz2202 Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 As an insulin dependent type 1 diabetic, i understand your mates dialema. I have had my HGV licence revoked and have had to jump through hoops to keep my MSA race licence, and even been questioned about my fac. However, There is no way a diabetic should serve in our armed services, your mate will know this if he has ever had a hypo or hyper. I have had a couple of lows in my time and i cannot even get out of a chair. aggressive training would almost without doubt make your mate hypo (low sugar) he would then become a risk to himself and fellow soldiers. Tell him to think himself lucky that diabetes is now very well financed and supported, as its not so many years ago he would have struggled with normal day to day activities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadkill Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 It's something he will have to live with and move on, I did ... the only thing I ever wanted and dreamed of doing was being in the armed forces but having asthma put a big stop to that dream at 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyska Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 I too must say its not a good idea, for many reasons but I'm on my phone so it'd take ages to list them, but as people have said diabetes although controllable in 'normal' life can still be very unpredictable and remains to be a serious condition albeit controllable. It's noble your pal wants to serve in the forces, but the risks far outweigh the benefits. I work in a professional capacity with diabetic management and can only think of the cons I'm afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerettaSV10 Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 (edited) As said before my diabetus is fairly well controlled and have problems with healing, The attached photo (sorry folks just a pic of a manky leg) shows how cuts and other damage has healed or in the case of one cut has not healed well, and have been like it for months and most years. If any bugs dirt got into the one thats not healed it could well turn into a ulcer and get worse ending up in a open wound that would create sevear problems. Edited November 9, 2012 by BerettaSV10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 (edited) BerretaSV10-to be fair any inability to heal normally is only caused after many years of Diabetes where poor circulation becomes an added pain.When I was Diabetic I never experienced any problems with healing,quite the opposite,in fact,and I believe that the improvements regarding Insulin purity have all but convinced most doctors that people who suffer from Diabetes and are reasonably well controlled are no more likely to become infected than any "normal" person. Edited November 9, 2012 by bruno22rf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh1 Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 BerretaSV10-to be fair any inability to heal normally is only caused after many years of Diabetes where poor circulation becomes an added pain.When I was Diabetic I never experienced any problems with healing,quite the opposite,in fact,and I believe that the improvements regarding Insulin purity have all but convinced most doctors that people who suffer from Diabetes and are reasonably well controlled are no more likely to become infected than any "normal" person. Forgive me if i am being a bit of a numpty but i thought once you had diabetes that was it, there is no cure just management. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 (edited) Welsh1-true in the vast majority of cases but I was lucky enough to recieve a Pancreas/Kidney transplant just over 7 years ago. Edited November 9, 2012 by bruno22rf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz2202 Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Forgive me if i am being a bit of a numpty but i thought once you had diabetes that was it, there is no cure just management. Correct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerettaSV10 Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 (edited) BerretaSV10-to be fair any inability to heal normally is only caused after many years of Diabetes where poor circulation becomes an added pain.When I was Diabetic I never experienced any problems with healing,quite the opposite,in fact,and I believe that the improvements regarding Insulin purity have all but convinced most doctors that people who suffer from Diabetes and are reasonably well controlled are no more likely to become infected than any "normal" person. Unfortunately diabetus affects different people in different ways, I have had the circulation checked and its ok, before I had the big toe nails removed (as continually they cut through the skin) they checked the circulation as well with a ultra sound, as if you poor circulation makes it harder to remove them. I have been hit by the nerve damage and healing problems, with other it can attack the blood vessals in the eyes, just had the results back from the eye photographs and they are all clear. foot check up at the end of this month (unfortunately now on 6 monthly monitering, norm is 12 or 18 months), and will see what that results in. Forgive me if i am being a bit of a numpty but i thought once you had diabetes that was it, there is no cure just management. if you are type one, you are diabetic forever. If type 2 and you become diabetic through pregnacy you can revert back to normal after the birth. If you are type 2 and built like a beer barrel with several spare tyres, You could just be on medication like metformin (or known as metfartin for obvious reasons) if you then shed all the weight and revert to what the docs call a normal person you may no longer need tablets, as long as you eat a balanced diet you are what may be deamed a normal person. Put the weight back on and you start the ball rolling again. Some diabetics can control their diabetus by carefully monitoring of the food / drink they take with no medication. The only advantage if you can call it an advantage is if you are on insulin or tablets you are excempt from persciption charges, not all docs will tell you this as I found out, and you get free anual eye tests. Edited November 9, 2012 by BerettaSV10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh1 Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Welsh1-true in the vast majority of cases but I was lucky enough to recieve a Pancreas/Kidney transplant just over 7 years ago. Cheers for the info,I never knew that,hope everything is going well for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz2202 Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Welsh1-true in the vast majority of cases but I was lucky enough to recieve a Pancreas/Kidney transplant just over 7 years ago. Result. Does / has it worked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sako751sg Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 Cant sign im afraid.Will just open the door to letting the gays and the women join up and that just wont do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbust Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 Cant sign im afraid.Will just open the door to letting the gays and the women join up and that just wont do. I am afraid you are a bit late with the gays statement Sako751sg. LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted November 11, 2012 Report Share Posted November 11, 2012 I think that if the possible risk was just to himself then your mate is a good man for wanting to do his bit for his country. The trouble is other lives may come to depend on him in situations where his medication cannot get to him. It's just a bad career choice and he needs to move on. I'm mildly colour blind and as such cannot do some jobs. That's just the hand we're dealt with in life and you have to accept that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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