The first official job I got was for American Eagle in fall of 2017. I did not work there for very long, but in the time I was there I recall wanting to hide my diabetes from my manager and the other associates in the store. I felt quite uncomfortable disclosing that information with them as the environment of the store was rather snotty and unwelcoming. Because of this, I left my glucose tablets and meter locked in my locker, and carried nothing with me out in the store. Fortunately, my time there only lasted about 2 months because I was a seasonal associate.

Not too long after my employment at American Eagle ended, I randomly decided to apply to work for the Atlanta Braves. Now I have been working there since March. My experience with Type One Diabetes and working for the Braves has been an important one for me, so I felt compelled to share it with you all. When I first arrived and got my job assignment, I remember being very nervous because this was a far more serious job for me than being a seasonal employee at American Eagle. It was cold, and I was able to wear a jacket, so I hid my supplies in the pockets. At first I didn’t tell anyone that I was diabetic because I didn’t know them and I wanted them to get to know me for who I really was before I told them that. It ended up coming out pretty fast because I became friends with my coworkers very quickly. I still was apprehensive about letting my supervisor know, as I did not want him to see me as incompetent. The cold weather did not last too long. After about a month or two, wearing a jacket to work became unbearable, because I work outside. I had to finally talk to my supervisor about being able to wear a fanny pack with my uniform to carry my medical supplies. To my surprise, he was extremely kind about the whole situation and it made me feel really good.

Now months into the Major League Baseball season, I can say that I have had very pleasant experiences while working with Type One Diabetes. I have been treated with such kindness and care by everyone I work with. I went very low one day, and ran out of glucose tablets, and without me having to ask, one of my coworkers went and got me a Sprite so I would not have get up to go get it. Another time, I was having a bad day and went low. I did not feel like eating glucose tablets at all, and another coworker of mine ate one with me so I wouldn’t have to eat them alone because I hate them so much. I have actually been very blessed to meet another Type One Diabetic that works in the same section that I do. We have become pretty good friends, and we are always looking out for each other. I never have to worry about something going wrong at work because I have lots of support from my coworkers and lots of people willing to help.

As far as how I deal with my diabetes at work, I wear a fanny pack around my waist that carries my meter, glucose tablets, and any other supplies I might need. I can see my blood sugar on my Apple Watch because of my Dexcom app, which makes managing my numbers while I work a lot easier. The fun thing about working for the Braves is that I get to see so many Type Ones that come to the games, and I always say hi!

To end this long post, I just wanted to say that you shouldn’t be afraid to tell people that you trust at work about your Type One for your safety and for the safety of those around you. If you are lucky, people will even be willing to learn how to help you if you were to need it. Working with Type One Diabetes does not make you less able; it just means that you are willing to put in more work than anyone else to do a task 🙂