Cutting it short

If there’s one thing all people with diabetes have in common (or, who’ve had it for at least a year), it’s that we take shortcuts.

At one time, it was shameful and embarrassing. I remember my father once giving me a stern lecture about my taking shortcuts. (Maybe it was about diabetes, maybe it was about homework. I really don’t remember).

Nowadays, taking shortcuts aren’t only tolerated, but they’re expected. They’re celebrated. Shortcuts are a sign of confidence and independence. Only the timid and hesitant do things the long way.

(Last week, I attended a demo of ShugaTrak, a simple and easy way for parents to keep track of their kids’ blood sugars via automated text messages. I’ll write more about that sometime soon. When the presentation began with the loading a new lancet in the Delica device, I sarcastically asked what that step was for, much to the amusement of the crowd).

But where do these shortcuts come from? Are they learned or taught? There was a time when I did everything by-the-book, and I’m not quite sure what made me change.

Remember: I’m not a doctor and this isn’t medical advice. In fact, everything discussed below is wrong, and should never be done. Never, ever, ever. This post is written only for the purpose of telling stories of my past, and I disclaim responsibility from any ideas or actions someone else might try as a result of my own rebelliousness.