Is having diabetes a disability?

But is this a fair and useful description, or an unwanted label? We take a look at both sides of the argument.

A controversial topic

‘Whenever I see new patients with סוכרת סוג 1, I let them know their condition is recognised as a disability under the law,’ says Dr Partha Kar, clinical director of diabetes at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust. Discover the legal position on type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the box below.

Dr Kar says, ‘Patients’ responses are divided; half take offense and view their condition as serious but not disabling, while the other half take comfort in the term and want a letter from me to apply for whatever help it might bring.’

‘I wouldn’t consider myself to have a disability,’ says Bob Swindell, 48, who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2013 and is now a trustee of Diabetes UK. ‘In general, I don’t think having diabetes is disabling and I think the majority of people with the condition would agree with me.’

When diagnosed, Swindell was overweight, inactive and had a family history of type 1 diabetes. After taking metformin for three and a half years, he’s spent the past six months on a medical trial, treating his type 2 with a reduced-carbohydrate diet and increased exercise.

‘As soon as I was diagnosed I started walking more, then did a couch to 5K walk/run programme and, once I’d lost weight and gained some confidence, I started doing parkrun (free, weekly, timed 5K events around the UK).’

Now a parkrun ambassador for diabetes, welcoming others with the condition to the running community, Swindell is something of an athlete. ‘I’ve run half marathons, marathons and have just completed my first ultra marathon,’ he says. ‘I regularly cover 50km a week.’

Having diabetes is no barrier to exercising or athletic achievement – type 2 diabetes didn’t stop Sir Steve Redgrave from rowing his way to Olympic golds, for example.

Noele McClelland, an employment law specialist at Thorntons Solicitors in Dundee, understands the desire not to be labelled but points out how you feel about diabetes right now may change if your health gets worse over the years.

‘The Equality Act defines a disability as ‘a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial long-term negative effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities’,’ she says. ‘Crucially, this considers diabetes as progressive.’

So being classed as disabled protects your rights and might also afford you support and benefits, such as personal independence payments (PIP), if you do need help in future.

Your employer cannot discriminate against you for your condition. This means they have to make reasonable adjustments to help you, which could be anything from allowing regular breaks for you to eat, drink or take your medication, to fitting in hospital appointments.

‘It’s also useful for your colleagues to understand your condition, so they can help in an emergency. If your boss knows diabetes sometimes affects your mood, concentration or performance too, they would have to take this into account during a disciplinary, for example,’ says McClellan.

However, it’s up to you to tell your employer about your disability status and there’s no obligation to do so.

Although some people with diabetes, like Swindell, wouldn’t use the term ‘disabled’ to describe themselves, it can be useful to get the care and support you need, such as ensuring parents can claim Disability Living Allowance for their children with diabetes.

‘However patients respond to the term disabled, I reassure them it’s a legal description, not a medical one, and is there to be ignored or embraced as they want,’ says Dr Kar.

‘Some people may have further questions and a genuine need for disability benefits. They may feel it helps them to cope better with diabetes. Others may prefer to reject the status and never to disclose their condition. Most, eventually, feel reassured that their rights are protected and help may be out there in future should they need it.’

So, a bit like a ‘baby on board’ badge for public transport, it’s not a label you have to wear – but there may be times when you’re grateful for what it can do.

People with either type 1 or type 2 are also at risk of complications, such as eye or kidney damage, that can lead to long-term physical disabilities. However, whether type 2 can actually be classed as a disability is currently a hot legal topic.

In 2014, the Employment Appeal Tribunal ruled that having type 2 diabetes, which can be controlled by a managed diet, does not in itself amount to a disability. But there are outstanding appeals against that ruling due to the progressive nature of the condition that may have a substantial negative impact in the future. If a person may become disabled in the future, could they therefore be considered to have a disability before things reach that stage?

For everyone dealing with diabetes, from employers to carers, the debate will continue to rage.