CONTEXT: I’ve been a type 1 diabetic since 10 y/o (currently 26F). I was diagnosed as autistic in 2024. I started studying in 2025, the institution and the head of career were aware of both medical diagnoses. English isn’t my first language.
On 24/11, I went to practical classes without much issue aside from a high glycemia of 260 mg/dl, which I managed with insulin and drinking water until it went down to 198 mg/dl. The head of the career and my teacher at the moment insisted I go to the E.R., as I was very pale and with a headache. I insisted I was fine (I didn’t feel other symptoms, and I admit I was stubborn about not missing classes,) but eventually, I agreed and left for home to change my uniform.
After I arrived and changed to normal attire, I started having heavy nausea and severe pain in my legs, which came to a point where I couldn’t breathe because my stomach acid burned my esophagus. I only thought of calling a friend who told me \*call me if you need anything\*, but this friend had her phone off, so I only thought of calling the group chat we shared in case she was around. I was really dizzy, two other classmates were trying to listen to me, but I could only mutter \*help please\*,\*hospital\*, and my friend’s name (as she has a car). Eventually, that friend and another classmate managed to take me to the E.R., where they told me it wasn’t a full-on DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis), but there were some ketones making trouble. An IV and meds later, I was discharged home.
My mother went to deliver my certificate, and she (and I) got scolded by the head of the career. This is what she told her: 1) It would have been problematic if I were to die in my classmates’ arms, as it would be detrimental for their future careers. 2) I should have been smarter and called an ambulance instead of interrupting my classmates, instead of traumatizing them with my mess. 3) The incident must have been my fault since I’m a diabetic and I’m rarely seen eating or eating ”bad stuff”
I debate this last argument bc I don’t have the economic means to be \*eating bad stuff\*, I follow the meals I bring from home over very stretched schedules (I eat very little), and the only time she saw me eat something bad was a few chips on a ziplog bag I brought to share with my classmates.
I feel ashamed and don’t know what face I’ll show up to class on Monday. AITA here? What should I do now, or how else do I apologize?
I’m glad you’re ok. No need to be ashamed before the class, but the headmaster was correct that you should not have called the group chat instead of an ambulance. Apologize to the group and the friend in particular, thank those who took you to the ER and let them know you learned that in the future, going straight to medical professionals is best.
Soft YTA.
NTA. When you are experiencing a diabetic emergency, your thoughts don’t tend to hang together nearly as well as when your blood sugar is in balance (I’m sure you know this already). You aren’t always going to make the most logical decisions, because your brain functioning is impaired. You called people you felt you could trust. You did well.
The head of your career was completely out of line and clearly doesn’t understand diabetes. You may want to approach the peers you talked to and just check in – “hey, I hope I didn’t scare you with what happened the other day. I want you to know I really appreciate all the help you gave me. I understand that can be scary, and you handled it really well and got me the help I needed.”
Honestly, most of your peers will probably be pretty proud of themselves if you tell them that. You might want to add that if they notice you are acting strangely, to please call whatever trusted person you want them to call so they can assist you. Note that it will probably not happen, but blood sugar can be unpredictable even when you are eating healthy meals and getting the right exercise.
You don’t have to make a big deal out of it, because you did nothing wrong. But giving people some tools can help them manage any anxiety they might have had. Focus on them, because there’s not much you can do about the ignorant Head, especially if they feel like the appropriate response to a medical emergency is to blame you for being ill.
They ignored advice to go to the ER. Yes that’s diabetic confusion slightly but they need to be able to manage their condition better if that’s the case (if they get so confused they refuse medical advice then they need a constant glucose monitor, for example). This isn’t acceptable and this person or their parents need to do better. This never should have happened and absolutely could have been prevented. This is the exact reason monitors exist. There is no reason for this to happen to a young person with appropriate diabetes treatments.
I don’t think YOU understand modern diabetes treatments, are you elderly? Edit: your comment sounds like your 30 years behind babe yes blood sugar is unpredictable but fortunately we have monitors now for folks who have wild readings. That would have solved this entire issue, including the monitor beeping to let others know. No trauma for fellow classmates $20000000 says you’re American.
You made terrible choices. Yes, part of that was confusion from a medical emergency. That is to be expected. It was still a terrible choice.
Very gentle YTA. Now you know better for next time. You scared the absolute crap out of people and could have died. Next time, call the ambulance.
NTA In the future , know that when you are in the throws of a diabetic crisis, you probably won’t be making the best decisions.
Your classmates will be fine. Your headmaster is a d1ck.
NAH. You looked for comfort and friendship when in crisis. The school looked out for liability. Everyone seems to be doing knee-jerk reactions and not thinking empathetically, and that’s completely normal in crisis.
why should there be empathy to her situation when even she doesn’t want to take it seriously. “i am stubborn about missing classes”. is staying alive important to OP or not?
Gentle YTA. You are responsible for eating properly and calling 911 in a medical emergency. You told your teacher you would go to the ER and instead went home to change clothes. You experienced a medical emergency and reached out to a group chat. These are not good choices. You are 26, you need to take better care of yourself.
OP here: thank you all for your comments it has help me understand better the situation.
Right after I left the E.R I sent a message to the group apologizing for causing the distress and thanking so much for my classmates quick response and handling of the situation. They were all very thoughtful and wished me a speedy recovery as well.
It was mostly today I felt I had to ask the AITA subreddit, after the head of the career mentioned her point of view over the incident.
The reason I’ve been struggling with the doses of insulin has been bc I haven’t been receiving my usual check ups in the hospital as part of the Healthcare system in my country, as I cannot go private. It started with 3 month delay, then 6 months, and now it had escalated to 2 years. I made an appeal and managed to get one by next month, but I, ironically, fell into the E.R. first.
I appreciate all the honest advices, it would have to be even more careful than now with extra snacks and more check ups. I just hope when the head of the career sees me, her words can be kept brief, as I’m quite scared of her.
Thank you all so much.
YTA. You know of your condition and instead call emergency services that you know you need you delayed the response
If you were a teen or newly diagnosed then I’d excuse you. You’re 26, autistic or not, an ambulance should have been your first and only call. YTA. I’m glad you’re ok, but you could have died.
NTA but you need to be aware that if you are in a low or high glycemia episode, your judgement is impaired and you aren’t making great decisions. You say you eat very little–my understanding is that diabetics need to eat consistent amounts of food on a schedule. Please take care of yourself–Ketoacidosis is serious.
YTA. “I insisted I was fine (I didn’t feel other symptoms, and I admit I was stubborn about not missing classes,) but eventually, I agreed and left for home to change my uniform.”.
that’s not what emergency room means. either you needed to go immediately, and you declined at that time, then you decided to change your clothes to go to the ER? You don’t seem to understand your own health urgencies, or you are ignoring them because other things are more important. you are an adult. you need to figure out your symptoms and if you are conscious at the time be direct “call an ambulance“ or “call 911” If you don’t take things seriously, then others might guess too. do not leave your fate in mixed messages to others. don’t ever think others know your health situation. telling them “hospital“ gives them options. you give options, one of the options someone could take might not be the right one.