Shocking moment horrified diabetic woman, 23, is mistakenly accused of ‘doing drugs’ in a pub as she used insulin pen
THIS is the shocking moment a diabetic woman, 23, was accused of ‘shooting up drugs’ as she used her insulin pen.
Jade Percy was captured on CCTV administering her medication while at a pub in Margate, Kent, with her dad.
But, the stunned 23-year-old was horrified when staff gave her a “really funny look” and a rude customer jibed “that s**t will kill you” during her ill-fated visit on April 28 earlier this year.
Jade, a type 1 diabetic, quickly explained she was “not doing drugs” and has since shared the encounter on TikTok.
You wouldn’t ask a mother to breastfeed her child in the toilet, so it’s no different. I’m keeping myself alive and they’re keeping their child alive
Jade Percy
The video showed warehouse worker Jade holding her insulin pen and clocking the bar man’s troubled expression.
She then explained: “I’m a diabetic. I’m not doing drugs here, don’t worry.”
To which he responded with relief: “Oh, that makes more sense.”
However, the clip sparked controversy, with many claiming Jade shouldn’t inject insulin in public.
One person even suggested: “Maybe next time let staff know what you’re about to do”.
“Why didn’t you visit the bathroom,” asked another.
But Jade fired back: “I think I have to do enough as it is as a type 1 diabetic without having to inform every member of staff in the place”.
She usually has to administer her life-saving medication around five times a day.
Jade added: “As I went to inject, the barman walked round the bar and instantly looked at me really funny.
“So I just outright said it’s not drugs because I know that’s people’s instant thought. I was like, ‘don’t worry it’s not drugs, I’m a type 1 diabetic. I have to do this to survive’.
“I’ve had multiple funny looks and things like that. Luckily I haven’t had really dramatic things happen to me.
“I’ve had a lot of people tell me about their situations and stories and it really does get to me which is why I try so hard to raise awareness.”
‘HEALTH COMES FIRST’
Despite facing backlash after sharing her troubles on social media, the content creator said she hoped to continue raising awareness.
Jade was grateful for her “laid-back, easy going” attitude, but warned negative comments surrounding insulin injections could cause real harm.
“For people who don’t have my mindset it would probably have thrown them back and they would’ve had to go in the toilet because that’s what they think they need to do. It’s not like that at all,” she continued.
She slammed the “really silly, naive people” who leave “stupid” comments.
The fact it got so bad and I almost lost my life, I know how important it is
Jade
“You wouldn’t ask a mother to breastfeed her child in the toilet, so it’s no different. I’m keeping myself alive and they’re keeping their child alive,” she added.
“If I spent all my time telling everyone who I’m with, I would never get the chance to inject and I’d end up in a coma.
“Your health comes first and foremost and people’s judgements shouldn’t stop you from looking after yourself.”
Jade urged other diabetics never to “hide or feel ashamed” of their medication.
One fan told how negative responses surrounding their insulin injections has affected their daily life.
“That’s why I refuse to do it in public I have to go to a restroom,” admitted one,” they revealed.
BRUSH WITH DEATH
Jade nearly died after her insulin levels dropped to near-fatal levels.
The 23-year-old was diagnosed in 2021, but was unaware she had type 1 diabetes.
This led to the young woman having diabetic ketoacidosis or DKA, and she was raced to hospital.
“The fact it got so bad and I almost lost my life, I know how important it is,” she explained.
“Someone’s judgement isn’t going to compete with that. If i didn’t inject, my sugars would spike and I would end up having something called a DKA which is what I had at the beginning.”
Again, the campaigner urged fellow diabetics to “please look after yourself”.
And her hard work has paid off, as she revealed: “I get so many messages from people saying that I’ve helped them and given them the confidence to film themselves injecting.”
Fellow type one diabetics hailed Jade for her honestly and praised the 23-year-old.
One user said: “The amount of people saying do it in the toilets instead? I would never.”
“I’m T1 too and I’m so sick of the dirty looks,” said another.
A third added: “How do people not know what insulin pens look like.”
“I love doing it whenever I need to do it wherever I need to do it,” wrote a fourth.
Type 1 diabetes
TYPE 1 diabetes causes the level of glucose, or sugar, in your blood to become too high.
- This happens when your body can’t make a hormone called insulin, which controls blood glucose levels.
- Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day to keep their blood glucose levels under control.
- Managing type 1 diabetes can take time to get used to, but those affected can still do all the things they enjoy.
- Type 1 diabetes is not linked with age or being overweight – these things are linked with type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes
- feeling very thirsty
- peeing more than usual, particularly at night
- feeling very tired
- losing weight without trying
- thrush that keeps coming back
- blurred vision
- cuts and grazes that are not healing
- fruity-smelling breath