being a pilot with diabetes (again sorry)

[Thunderchild]

I'm posting again as I didn't realize the paper cut on my link was not showing up
http://opinions.freeforums.org/viewtopic.php?p =12#12
is disturbing that he doesn't seem to understand that with diabetes he can't be a pi,ot and even worse that he is campaining to have the law changed AND worse still the charity are supporting it. I'd not like to fly a plane with a diabetic pilot suppose he/she collapses ?

[tubeway]

I suppose that for somebody without diabetes being ignorant of the full facts is to be expected sometimes. I can not think of a reason why a well controlled diabetic could not be a pilot. Modern treatments for diabetes enable diabetics to live full lives. In the past this was not always the case which is why the law existed. Why should the law not be changed. Diabetics do not spend their whole life collapsing all over the place. The difference between a diabetic and non diabetic is that the diabetic has to control their own sugar levels.
I am diabetic and live a full life. I developed my diabetes while in the armed forces - and served for my last 2 years with diabetes (the law allows the army not to recruit diabetics - but diabetics in the armed forces do the same as non-diabetics) I am now a healthcare professional. I used to play many sports (too old now and knees too dodgy) and control my own sugar levels.
There is a lot of discrimination against diabetics which is now being overcome (but not in all areas apparently). The charity - which I suppose is diabetes UK - know more about diabetes that you (obviously) and realise that having diabetes should not stop somebody from being a pilot

[Thunderchild]

yes I understand what your saying but theres always that what if I don't beleive in discriminating anybody but sometimes we go a bit far in trying to have it the same and fair for everybody so who going to guarantee he stays full controlled in sugar levels. what if that once something goes wrong could cost a lot of people their lives. by the way can a diabetic drive a car ?

[tubeway]

I hope so as I have been driving for over 20 years - never had an accident - have a full clean licence and do around 25000 miles a year as part of my job.
I must admit that about 5 years ago - I did feel my sugar levels dropping (we can tell) - so I stopped in a little chef and had something to eat - and was about 10 mins late for my next appointment, but that is the worst I have been affected while driving.

[tubeway]

The main difference is that I have to renew my licence every 3 years - never a problem.
I have to take sugar tablets and biscuits with me in the car (just in case)
If I am doing a long journey I have to make sure that I eat on time and try to rest every couple of hours - as everybody should anyway

[Thunderchild]

so what does a pilot do land in the channel to have a biscuit ? or rest ?

[Thunderchild]

I know what you mean about feeling your sugar levels dropping my step mums mother is diabetic and always fretting she forgot to bring her sugar rich buiscits and sends hubby to get some at the coop. same as I know when I have low blood pressure you just know