So I subscribe to the e-mail blasts from this company called Advanced Opinions in NYC, which works with various companies to create focus groups to test different products. Basically, they pay you to come in and serve on a panel and you give your opinion while the reps from the company watch you from behind a two-way mirror. It's all very Madmen-esque. I signed up as a way to make some easy extra money on the side, and periodically I'll fit exactly what they're looking for (although it's harder than you'd think; most of the time they want really niche demographics like African American women with green eyes who have their PhD and wear contact lenses. Or something like that. Anywho.)
So recently, I received an e-mail from the above named company in my inbox and checked to see if I fit the (probably ridiculously narrow) criteria. Here's what the e-mail said:
Diabetics: (You must bring your insulin bag with you)
Wed/Feb4 or Thurs/Feb5 - 1-hr 15-min $125 Visa Gift Card many times available 7:45am thru 7:45pm NYC(40&Lex) fill out the form to be considered.
AND THAT WAS IT.
So I'm staring at it, and staring at it, getting angrier by the second, not really understanding how they managed to trigger such profuse anger within me using so few words. After I calmed down a bit, I wrote the following (much wordier) e-mail in response:
To Whom it May Concern,
As someone who has diabetes, I just want to point out that the term "diabetic" used to refer to a person who has diabetes is actually considered highly offensive by many within the type 1 community. The more PC term is "person/people with diabetes." You wouldn't define a person with cancer by their disease by calling them a "canceretic"; it's the same with those affected by diabetes.
Secondly, what do you mean by an "insulin bag"? I haven't the slightest clue what this could possibly mean besides the bag in which we keep our insulin, which is inapplicable for those on pens or an insulin pump (eliminating a demographic of possible focus group applicants right off the bat.) For those who do carry their insulin with them, the container in which it's kept is completely dependent on personal preference. (I keep mine in a refrigerator at home where it's supposed to be when not in use.) Whatever this "insulin bag" is, it's not a technical or even colloquial term that people with diabetes use. I tried giving you the benefit of the doubt (even though I've had type 1 diabetes for 23-years) by asking the other woman with diabetes in my office if she had any idea what an "insulin bag" was, yet she was equally as baffled.
The reason I'm taking the time to bring this to your attention is because I assume you're representing a company that has a vested interest in the type 1 community (a pump company or something similar) and I also assume that your client's last intention would be to alienate or offend their potential customers; potential customers meaning me, my coworker, and anyone else with some form of diabetes. And I'm reasonably offended by your e-mail. I'm offended, despite knowing that a majority of those not affected by type 1 diabetes have a limited understanding of the disease. However, as a company that works with other companies trying to target those affected by various medical ailments, I believe you have a greater responsibility to your constituents and clients to be better informed.
In the future, I hope that the team at Advanced Opinions makes a more concerted effort at being sensitive to those affected by chronic illnesses before sending any subsequent e-mail blasts that contain inaccurate or offensive terminology.
Owned it?
Submitted January 24, 2015 at 02:57AM by typewonderful http://ift.tt/1y9OJur diabetes
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