So I used to work as a paramedic and I had type 1 since I was 6. I had a call that required a transfer of a patient to a bigger hospital. I was in the back of the ambulance and my partner was driving.
In Newfoundland, there is critical, advanced, primary care and emr. EMR stands for emergency medical responder and they don’t have the training to even check blood sugars. I was a primary care medic and can test, give drugs and diagnose some illnesses.
Because I had more training I was usually in the back and this transfer required assistant breathing for the patient and we kept them hooked up to an AED. It was a 2 h drive and the patient made it alive to hospital.
When the transfer was over I started to feel low and I told my partner that I could feel it low. I checked and it was and it was common to visit Tim’s otw back. So I grabbed a donut and just as I was about to take a bite, the emr starts freaking out at me.
“YOU CANT EAT THAT!!!”
I then explained to her again that my sugar was low and I need to eat something.
“NO YOU NEED TO EAT THESE GRANOLA BARS THAT MY FRIEND EATS! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING???”
The thing is, not only am I a type 1 diabetic but also was struggling with bulimia and was starting treatment. I was challenging myself to allow food. After being yelled at over a donut, I was enraged. I said to her that my sugars were low and if I need to eat I’ll eat and since I’m low do not fucking mess with me! Do not mess with diabetics when they are low!
I don’t think I have ever yelled at another medic like that but I’m glad I stood up for myself. I also knew that if she tried to report me, the staff wouldn’t be behind her. I knew how to treat my lows and no one except my dietician or dr has the right to do so.
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