Across all forms of social media, from internet discussion threads to TV show writing, the distinction between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes is being erased and instead overshadowed by the stigma of the latter. In the minds of the general public, at little fault of their own, they believe that all diabetics have brought on their own plight. Seemingly no effort is being made to reverse this erroneous and detrimental trend, as it is understandably difficult to solicit aid from people who have been brought to believe that those seeking help caused their own negative situation. As a result, real medical and social advancement for Type 1 (I) diabetes is threatened and our hope for a cure erroded.
 
This petition is intended to affect social change for those afflicted with Type 1 (I) Diabetes, by requesting a formal change to the name of the disease, in an effort to better reflect the inherent differences between the two types.

Type 1 (I) Diabetes is non-preventable. It is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks critical cells in the pancreas that would normally produce the hormone insulin (required for living), resigning the afflicted individual to a life of permanent reliance on daily deliveries of synthetic insulin via syringe injection, or face certain death within a matter of days or weeks.  There is currently no cure.

Type 2 (II) Diabetes is a similar condition, but better characterized by the pancreas' inability to produce enough insulin to supply to all of the body cells of an overweight individual. Unlike Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 is usually preventable by practicing proper health habits and preventing obesity. In many cases, persons with Type 2 Diabetes can alleviate all or most of their diabetic conditions by lifestyle changes and better weight management.  

This petition does not aim to discriminate against those with Type 2 Diabetes, but rather bring light to the issue that the two conditions are in fact quite different--much in the way that Alzheimer's and Amnesia both address memory loss, but in a very different manner. While no form of Diabetes is desirable, we wish to make clear that Type 1 is not preventable, and presently non-curable, and its occurrence within an individual should in no way be attributed to that individual's lifestyle or eating habits.

By changing the name away from "Diabetes," those with Type 1 Diabetes will be afforded the distinction of not having self-induced the disease, and may even find that medical research funding increases due to a removal of the self-inflicted stigma.

While proposed name changes are being discussed, such a name revision should reflect the medical distinction between the two conditions. One such proposed name revision gaining wide acceptance for its clear descriptive nature and reflective medical terminology is: "Insulinitis" However, the final name would be subject to further discussion.

Additional proposed names:

-Pancreatic Insulin Dependency Disorder (PIDD)

The intent of this petition is to generate widespread documented support for such a departure from the term "Diabetes" and the stigmas associated with Type 2 (II) Diabetes through careful and thoughtful name revision, and convince the organizations and associations responsible for such disease nomenclature to make such revisions.