I saw a Facebook post from a parent celebrating the delivery of their child’s insulin pump and asking if Lantus would still be required once the transition to an insulin pump was complete. Of my many reactions to this, chief among them was confusion. Wasn’t it common knowledge that insulin pumps deliver basal and bolus? Isn’t this something that should be explained by a medical professional prior to filling out the paperwork and going down that path? If you’re sharing these sentiments on Facebook, shouldn’t you have learned this through DOC osmosis (DOCmosis?)? Wouldn’t you want to do as much research as possible before making a significant emotional and financial commitment to your child’s diabetes care?

But maybe that fact isn’t common knowledge. Maybe their endocrinologist didn’t take the time to explain the intricacies of pumping insulin. Maybe this is your chance to ask questions before things get real. Maybe I shouldn’t be so quick to judge.

Maybe I’m part of a hyper-connected portion of the diabetes community that seeks this information, that lives on the cutting edge of technology and discussion. Maybe I’m the anomaly, and the people who could use a little extra care and exposition shouldn’t be treated with the condescension that initially flashed through my brain.

Maybe I should be more compassionate.