So you are a diabetic, Staring at the pump Options

[Bob2]

Good day all,

Well I just had my first ecounter (1/08/12) with a person who was staring at my pump. I was in line to pay for my gas purchase, when a police officer walked up and asked what kind of illegal drug I was on, I asked what he was talking about, he stated that a concerned citizen of that town stated that I was on drugs.

I told him that it was not illegal drugs, the instrument at my waist was an insulin pump due to diabetes. (Remember I live in East Texas where most law enforcement personnel are just part time or contracted by the town mayor) this was in a town called Apple Springs, 2-cop town.

Before I knew it he was searching my vehicle looking for the so called illicit drug that I was on. I showed them my prescription for the Apridra, and BG test strips. I showed them the pump, tubing and infusion site. Did not matter he was convinced that I was on drugs.

Before I knew it, here comes the Texas Department of Safety (highway patrol), the trooper took one look at the supposed illegal drug equipment and started laughing, stating to the other officer that it was in fact an insulin pump. He then proceeded to ream his butt out, and told him to get some additional training, and not waste his time any more.

Apple Springs Mayor called me on Monday 1/09/12 stating that he was sorry that I was treated like that by his officer, and if I have time to stop by and he would buy me lunch.

Any of you had horror stories like that? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/Blow up.gif)

[Manxman]

Good day all,

Well I just had my first ecounter (1/08/12) with a person who was staring at my pump. I was in line to pay for my gas purchase, when a police officer walked up and asked what kind of illegal drug I was on, I asked what he was talking about, he stated that a concerned citizen of that town stated that I was on drugs.

I told him that it was not illegal drugs, the instrument at my waist was an insulin pump due to diabetes. (Remember I live in East Texas where most law enforcement personnel are just part time or contracted by the town mayor) this was in a town called Apple Springs, 2-cop town.

Before I knew it he was searching my vehicle looking for the so called illicit drug that I was on. I showed them my prescription for the Apridra, and BG test strips. I showed them the pump, tubing and infusion site. Did not matter he was convinced that I was on drugs.

Before I knew it, here comes the Texas Department of Safety (highway patrol), the trooper took one look at the supposed illegal drug equipment and started laughing, stating to the other officer that it was in fact an insulin pump. He then proceeded to ream his butt out, and told him to get some additional training, and not waste his time any more.

Apple Springs Mayor called me on Monday 1/09/12 stating that he was sorry that I was treated like that by his officer, and if I have time to stop by and he would buy me lunch.

Any of you had horror stories like that? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/Blow up.gif)

Wow! GREAT STORY! I am amazed that even in tiny country towns, such ignorance can still be found in law enforcement. As I was growing up with Diabetes in the early '50s, the tennis star Billy Talbott was used as a warning to young diabetics because of his several arrests for public drunknness while he was actually hypoglycemic. However, in the "big city" in the '50s, worries about being mistaken for a drug addict were not an issue. Recreational drugs, the Hippie movement, and the proliferation of drugs of all kinds began in the next decade. Legitimate health issues should certainly be taught in all law enforcement training.

But then again, there are truly stupid people in all cities and governments.

Good luck with your "drug problem" ( (IMG:style_emoticons/default/knocked out.gif) )and I hope that future relations with cops go better for you.

[Biggie_Robs]

Wow, I'm impressed by your patience. It must have felt nice when you were exonerated, but that's not to say it was reasonable to put you through the entire ordeal. I'm regularly surprised by how many people don't know what an insulin pump is in the 21st century. We're supposed to have flying cars for goodness' sake!

[JohnG]

Apple Springs Mayor called me on Monday 1/09/12 stating that he was sorry that I was treated like that by his officer, and if I have time to stop by and he would buy me lunch. Any of you had horror stories like that?

Wow Bob...Kind of a bonus, better BG control and a little excitement, plus you may get to try
out that big chicken fried steak or cat fish dinner over there in Apple Springs...;-)

[tazm21]

Wow - what a story. I am in law enforcement and would never have done that. In fact, if someone sees my pump on my belt with all my other gear, I usually get asked by co-workers what fancy new equipment do I have that they don't and where can they get one. LOL Sometimes I tell folks its a Star Trek tri-corder and that usually gets a laugh.

Teresa

[Liz]

Not only was the cop a complete moron, but so was the "concerned citizen" who reported you. I think I'd actually be more upset at that person than the cop.

[Linda B]

I can't understand WHY the 'concerned citizen' said you were on drugs. What drug addict wears a $6,000 piece of medical equipment for injecting drugs?
Are you saying the pump was the reason you were 'reported' in the first place?
Is there some contraption I never heard of that drug addicts do use that resembles a pump?
I totally do not understand.

Linda B.

[Bob2]

I can't understand WHY the 'concerned citizen' said you were on drugs. What drug addict wears a $6,000 piece of medical equipment for injecting drugs?
Are you saying the pump was the reason you were 'reported' in the first place?
Is there some contraption I never heard of that drug addicts do use that resembles a pump?
I totally do not understand.

Linda B.

Linda,

The town of Apple Springs is a small community approx 100 miles north of Houston, Texas in Trinity county where Meth, Crack Cocaine, and other illegal druge are manufactured.

Town population is 2600 and annual income is around $16,000 unemployment averages 18%. Illegal drugs are easy to make and sell here. ( I live 60-miles SW of Apple Springs), this is the way to my home from Lufkin, TX.

Everyone in these small towns in east Texas wants to know your business, any thing they see out of the ordinary (my insulin pump). What would you do if you saw a tube running out from a small black box and under a shirt? in larger cities most would ask what is that but here they report it if they can. The local cops are not the brightest bulb, most are hired with minimum training (if you were a security officer you would be hired) and most this is a second job for them for extra money.

Anything that seems out of the ordinary they investigate.

[Arlene S.]

Good day all,

Well I just had my first ecounter (1/08/12) with a person who was staring at my pump. I was in line to pay for my gas purchase, when a police officer walked up and asked what kind of illegal drug I was on, I asked what he was talking about, he stated that a concerned citizen of that town stated that I was on drugs.

I told him that it was not illegal drugs, the instrument at my waist was an insulin pump due to diabetes. (Remember I live in East Texas where most law enforcement personnel are just part time or contracted by the town mayor) this was in a town called Apple Springs, 2-cop town.

Before I knew it he was searching my vehicle looking for the so called illicit drug that I was on. I showed them my prescription for the Apridra, and BG test strips. I showed them the pump, tubing and infusion site. Did not matter he was convinced that I was on drugs.

Before I knew it, here comes the Texas Department of Safety (highway patrol), the trooper took one look at the supposed illegal drug equipment and started laughing, stating to the other officer that it was in fact an insulin pump. He then proceeded to ream his butt out, and told him to get some additional training, and not waste his time any more.

Apple Springs Mayor called me on Monday 1/09/12 stating that he was sorry that I was treated like that by his officer, and if I have time to stop by and he would buy me lunch.

Any of you had horror stories like that? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/Blow up.gif)

Wow! What a story. It should really make the local newspaper. I hope you take the mayor up on his offer.

[Arlene S.]

Not only was the cop a complete moron, but so was the "concerned citizen" who reported you. I think I'd actually be more upset at that person than the cop.

As you probably know Croton-on-Hudson is about 35 miles north of NYC and this did happen about 19 years ago when I was on MDI but there are "concerned citizens" where you'd least expect to find them. I was in the restroom of a restaurant testing my blood so I could take a shot. There was no light in the stall so I was at the sink. A woman walked in and saw me and ran out and in minutes the restaurant manager appeared. She looked at me and as if to say "carry on" she smiled and left. I believe the concerned citizen ratted on me. It was after that experience that I started testing and injecting at the table.

[Liz]

As you probably know Croton-on-Hudson is about 35 miles north of NYC and this did happen about 19 years ago when I was on MDI but there are "concerned citizens" where you'd least expect to find them. I was in the restroom of a restaurant testing my blood so I could take a shot. There was no light in the stall so I was at the sink. A woman walked in and saw me and ran out and in minutes the restaurant manager appeared. She looked at me and as if to say "carry on" she smiled and left. I believe the concerned citizen ratted on me. It was after that experience that I started testing and injecting at the table.

I've injected (with pens) at the table in a lot of restaurants and food courts. I'm sure people have seen me but nobody has ever said anything. One time an older couple sitting across from our table in a mall food court saw me and I heard them talking about it, but in a kind of happy way so I assumed one of them was a diabetic and was excited to notice another one. I looked over at them and the woman gave me a big smile.

I've been in bathrooms in NYC where women were shooting heroin and I didn't report them.

[Arlene S.]

I've injected (with pens) at the table in a lot of restaurants and food courts. I'm sure people have seen me but nobody has ever said anything. One time an older couple sitting across from our table in a mall food court saw me and I heard them talking about it, but in a kind of happy way so I assumed one of them was a diabetic and was excited to notice another one. I looked over at them and the woman gave me a big smile.

I've been in bathrooms in NYC where women were shooting heroin and I didn't report them.

Apparently the woman who walked in was sure I was either a drug addict or a terrorist. Imagine what would have happened if I had a pump at the time. At that same restaurant I injected in my leg and I could see the waiter watching me. In NYC anything can happen.

[Sheriff John]

Wow - what a story. I am in law enforcement and would never have done that. In fact, if someone sees my pump on my belt with all my other gear, I usually get asked by co-workers what fancy new equipment do I have that they don't and where can they get one. LOL Sometimes I tell folks its a Star Trek tri-corder and that usually gets a laugh.

Teresa

Teresa, I'm getting set to retire in May after 31 years on the job. Most I work with know I'm on a pump and other than the times they make a wager as to what my BG is prior to lunch (IMG:style_emoticons/default/Celebrate 2.gif) it never seems to be an issue. On the rare occasion that I pull it out in front of someone new they often say "I didn't know they still made pagers!". Gives me a laugh.