Celebrating the “Diaversary”
Celebrating the “Diaversary”
For those of you who are not a type one diabetic the concept of “diaversary” is a simple concept based on celebrating the day we were diagnosed with type one diabetes. The first time I heard someone congratulate me when that date arrived it was often met with frustration, anger, hate, shame, and hopelessness. Reaching another year of a diaversary was often a moment of hitting reality and the fact that a cure has not been found. In our minds we think, “another year and no cure” or “why would I want to celebrating this disease that has brought nothing but darkness and pain into life?”
Over the years the experience changes and grows as each “diaversary” passes. At first, it was mostly anger and sadness. Then, it became more of trying to pull away from old memories and negative experiences and focus on today, this moment and where I was in my life. For awhile it became an event to try and focus less on and let it pass as another day. As the years continued to pile on it transitioned into more reflection as how I have grown over the years. There was still some sadness and memory recall; but the hate and anger was no longer present. I was able to look back ask, “what did I accomplish over this past year?” or “What did I learn about diabetes this year that I was unaware of before?” You would think with 19 years of living with this disease I would pretty much know everything there is. But, when you live with a chronic condition that requires daily maintenance the learning process is continuous.
Lately, I have learned to recognize over the years what diabetes means to me and how I identify more and more with where I am today in life because of it. So, to conclude with this blog on celebrating my nineteen year “diaversary” I will leave a list of blessings I am grateful for that diabetes has given me over the years.
I am thankful that type one diabetes…
… has shown me gratitude and appreciation for medicine; because without it I would not be alive today.
… has taught me to fight every single day to live.
… has proven to me over and over again to never give up.
… has opened my eyes to what it truly means to be healthy; and that living with a chronic condition is not something to be viewed as unhealthy.
… has taught me the important lesson of control; because I had no control over being diagnosed with this disease, yet I have the power to make choices and decisions to manage it.
… has shown me an appreciation for life every single day; because when death came knocking a few times I almost answered.
… did not kill me when doctors said it should have; and by the grace of God, support of my family, and the amazing medical team was able to keep me on this Earth.
… has given me strength to overcome something I felt powerless over.
… taught me how to practice discipline multiple times through a single day; because diabetes management requires it.
… while at first pushed me away from family and friends has actually helped me grow closer to them in ways that fostered greater love for one another.
… to teach myself the importance of self-care and recognizing that if I cannot take care of myself I will not be able to help others.
… opened the door for me to learn how to cope in multiple ways, including the use of writing.
… gave me the opportunity to become a published author and share my history.
… allowed people to lay their footprints in my life throughout the years and remember those stories.
… led the way to me wanting to help others and become a counselor; because the struggles of diabetes led me to seeing a therapist.
… connected me to other people who live with this disease.
… connected me to other people who struggle in life.
… taught me compassion for others and recognizing the pain we all experience.
… showed me to look at pain as a gift that nobody wants.
… gave me the courage I needed to live this life.
… teaches me how to problem solve every day.
… taught the power of acceptance.
… shown me the overcome short-term discomfort in order to prevent long-term misery.
… gave me the faith to walk the steps without seeing the top of the staircase.
… forced me to learn how to make tough choices.
… continues to challenge me physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
… taught me how to keep balance and at the same time making diabetes the TOP priority.
… to advocate for myself and health.
… taught me that asking for help is a sign of strength and not weakness.