Introduction
The fa-diab mailing list is for diabetics who don't believe in intentional weight loss. It was created to be a safe space where diabetics can discuss their condition without being bombarded with messages saying they need to "lose weight or die". In order to keep this space safe, there are a few simple rules that must be followed. Failure to follow these rules may result in you being banned from the list.
First and foremost: dieting and other intentional weight loss topics are absolutely forbidden and will not be tolerated on this list.
Please understand: there is a difference between a fat diabetic and a fat-accepting diabetic. If you think that diets are a good idea or want help loosing eight, this is not a list you should participate in.
What Is Allowed
Discusions about diabetes concerns, including but not restricted to:
- Healthy Eating - Nutrition is important to everyone and topics about eating healthy are welcome, with caution. (See "Usually Allowed" below for more guidelines.)
- Exercising - Excercise is good for everyone, even the disabled.
- Medication Concerns - Come learn that insulin is not to be feared.
- Complication Concerns - This is a big worry for everyone.
In general, disagreements are a welcome part of discussions as long as they don't reduce to name-calling and other childish behaviors. Even if you are not a legal adult, please act like one.
What is Not Allowed
The following are not allowed on this list. Posting these topics can and will result in a ban. If you think that following them will not be possible for you, please save us all the trouble and do not join. There are many other diabetic support lists and sites.
- Fat Bigotry - This generally includes weight loss discussions. If you feel that diabetics "must" lose weight, this list is not for you. Please try another one.
- Dieting Talk - If you have found that eating XYZ happened to cause you to lose or gain weight, it should not be posted to this list. If it helps control your blood sugar better, it might be. (See "Usually Allowed" for guidelines.)
- Diabetes Bigotry - "My kind of diabetes is more serious than yours". Everyone's diabetes is serious and different. Please respect this.
- Problems with Nutrasweet ('Equal') - You may mean well, but this topic is hotly contested. In the past, discussions have only lead to tears for everyone involved. Please do not mention it on the list.
- Snake Oil Cures - If it's too good to be true, it probably isn't. This includes quick cures, dying cancer kids, fast ways to make money, and anything else along those lines.
- Commercial Posts - If you want to sell your personal meter, that's okay. If you are a meter seller by trade, please do not post here.
- "This isn't about diabetes, but..." - The FDA taxing your potatos, the FCC putting subliminal messages in your MP3s, robots hacking into the defense mainframe, or the Great Old Ones returning from beyond the stars to eat our brains: all very interesting, we're sure, but please keep it off the list.
What is Usually Allowed
The following topics are allowed, but can be sensitive. Please exercise caution when posting about them.
- Talk about "fat" (as in "fat acceptance") not directly related to diabetes - Understandably, many of us are fat folk, and we do have issues that aren't directly related to diabetes. You are welcome to bring them up, within reason. If you have a lot of non-diabetes fat topics to discuss, we highly recommend the list that NAAFA runs. This list does not require NAAFA membership and has a much larger subscriber list, and thus a bigger audience.
- Talk About Food, Recipes, and Related Issues - Some people don't want to hear anything about food or one's diet. Other folks find that what food they eat makes a difference in controlling blood sugar. After many years of going back and forth, a detente has been reached. Discussion is allowed under the following rules:
- The talk must not be about dieting for weight control, or mention weight loss due to diet changes.
- The subject header must include [FOOD] at the beginning.
- Occasional Off-Topic Posts - As long as they are not listed under "Never Allowed", the occasional off-topic post is allowed. Off-Topic posts must have [OT] or [Off-topic] in the subject.
This list is a support group and as such we've all leaned on each others. We've heard of losses, jobs, health, and family, and we've shared joys. Still, discussions should not run on for days or longer. If you plan to cross-post to the regular fat-acceptance, we ask that you post only there, as many people are on both lists. In general, we are liberal about letting OT posts go on as long as they don't run wild.
Caveats & Disclaimers
- Although there are around 200 people on this list, traffic is bursty. Sometimes there might be no postings for a week or more. Feel free to start a new discussion if things are quiet. However, do not post "Is the list broken?" or similar messages. It is unlikely.
- If you think the list really is broken, please contact the owner directly. You can be reach her at mizmoose at gmail dot com.
- Unless someone specfically says otherwise, it is to be assumed that a person is not a medical professional.
- All medical advice, even that posted by medical professionals, should be discussed with your doctor(s) and/or diabetic care team.
- Common sense is the Golden Rule. If something doesn't seem right, there may be a good reason. We are not responsible for anything that happens to you if you take someone's advice. Please remember to exercise good judgement and think for yourself.
Anything in the rules is up for discussion on the list for modification. The list owner has the final say. Also, please remember that common courtesy and politeness still apply.
Now that you've read the rules, check out:
