Arm Band
Inner tube water polo started again and I’m excited to meet all the new people, but I’m nervous that none of my friends who are aware of my diabetes are on my team this season. Yes, I’m an adult and I can stand up for myself, but if there is an intense low, it helps to have someone with a fully functioning brain explain why I can’t get in the water.
Taking a Shot
My arm is the safest place for me to wear my Dexcom. I cover it with a compression sleeve. My biggest fear is that it will get knocked off and be floating around the pool and therefore lost. When I wear it on my thigh, it is usually right where my leg meets the tube. And I don’t think a compression sleeve on my thigh would be nearly as comfortable.
Since there are so many new people this season, we don’t all know each other yet. During the first week, my friend on the other team was yelling “someone cover Briley!” Except none of the people around me knew my name. Later I heard one of those people yell “I’ve got arm band!” I know she didn’t mean it, but it felt like I was being described by my diabetes. It hit me right in the heart and I wanted to yell at her, but does she even know I have diabetes? Probably not. It is an identifying marker and one that doesn’t seem so personal. I tried to explain to her captain, one of my friends, after the game. Except that I think she thought it was funny. It hurt though. How do I play through the pain, get to know this person without bubbling over with anger at her?
inDpendence 
First, love the action photo. Second, I wonder if time will make this better, and easier with your competitor. I’m not in favor of you changing your opinion on this. When something bothers us, it’s often good to blow off steam. In my experience (which doesn’t mean much, I know), first impressions are tough when they are very brief. Time usually irons that out somewhat. I hope it does for you. At any rate, you deserve to be known as something other than that name.
Sorry you went through that kind of intro, and I do hope it balances out before long. I didn’t wear anything when I was a younger swimmer and a bit reason for not pumping during high school was because I didn’t want to stand out. Not sure if I’d be any better now, but all my D-stuff now has persuaded me a few times not to try getting back into the pool again. As to others ID’ing on D, I have no doubt they’ll get to know you and love you as Briley and not “armband,” and maybe after some time (as Stephen says) it will become more of a comfortable thing. Anyhow, all of that aside, I’m proud of you for getting into the pool and not taking Dex off — that’s more than I’ve had the courage to do.
I would love to know more about your compression sleeve armband..
What would you like to know about it?