What do Nick Jonas, Halle Berry and Tom Hanks have in common?

They are famous worldwide for their many artistic achievements and awards. And they all live with diabetes.

Jonas received his diagnosis in his early teens, Berry in her early twenties and Hanks recently in his sixties. Like more than 6,000 people in Bermuda living with diabetes, these three exercise, take their medicine, watch their diet and monitor their blood glucose … all while trying to live their best lives as parents, friends and co-workers.

However, unlike the 6,000 people in Bermuda living with diabetes, these three are defined by more than just their diagnosis. When we think of them, we think of their music, their films and their plays. So why is it that we can’t seem to look past the condition when it comes to people living with diabetes in our own lives?

The answer stems from a lack of knowledge and understanding around diabetes, which ultimately results in the stigmatisation of those who are living with it. This stigma can take many forms for people living with diabetes. Sometimes, they feel judged for their condition. Sometimes, they feel excluded from invitations to social outings because of the belief that they cannot fully participate owing to their condition. And sometimes, they feel blamed or judged for their own diagnoses because of what others consider to be “unhealthy habits” in their pasts.

These misconceptions are not harmless. When people with diabetes are treated differently, they can feel rejected, excluded and shamed. These feelings have the potential to directly affect their health, acting as an obstacle that stands in the way of self-care or seeking treatment. For all of us, particularly health professionals who work with people living with diabetes, we know how devastating the condition can be if unmanaged with complications no one should have to suffer with.

That is why the Bermuda Diabetes Association is changing the conversation around diabetes. To those who are not living with diabetes, we ask you to consider your words and thoughts. Language matters. It can make the difference between encouraging someone to thrive or fuelling thoughts of shame and self-judgment, which may directly impact their health.

And to those living with the condition, we ask you to stand tall and proud. Your condition is nothing to be ashamed of, and you should take pride in the efforts you put in to manage it every day. We’re here with you every step of the way, for support, education and sharing all aspects of diabetes awareness.

Having diabetes hasn’t stopped Jonas, Berry or Hanks from being seen as great artists. It should not stop us from seeing others who happen to have diabetes as great neighbours, family members, co-workers and friends. If the world’s biggest celebrities can live their best lives with diabetes, so can we. It’s all a matter of changing the way we see things.

This cycle starts and ends with us. Each of us has the power to end stigma by changing the way we speak about diabetes. Together we have the power to change perceptions, break down barriers and create a community where everyone living with diabetes feels understood, supported and empowered.

• Sara Bosch de Noya is the head of diabetes education at the Bermuda Diabetes Association