Why I Celebrate My Diaversary

This past October 31st was my 41st diaversary. YES, my diaversary. And yes, I celebrate my diagnoses date, a.k.a. diaversary - and not just because it’s Halloween! Some people get right off the bat why I celebrate and do the same. Other people immediately ask me why, and I get it.

Here’s why I choose to celebrate my diaversary

Diabetes isn’t going anywhere. I’m allowed to be sad and angry sometimes - but if I hadn’t been diagnosed, I’d be dead and I am well aware of it.

My diabetes diagnosis is the day I didn’t die - and because I was diagnosed with diabetes (in my case type 1) I was able to immediately receive insulin and start on the road to better.

I could have died, many did and do pass from undiagnosed diabetes and or complications caused from untreated/diagnosed diabetes. The road after my diagnosis wasn't easy or smooth, but my diagnosis allowed me to grow up and live my life, and has forced me to be an active participant in my overall health. And whether you realize it or not, so has your diabetes. Nobody is perfect and if they say they are, they aren't being truthful. There’s no such thing as perfection, diabetes or not!

I celebrate my diaversary because I am celebrating my life, reflecting on how far I’ve come in my life and I encourage you to do the same.

We have two ways to look at our date of being diagnosed with diabetes. We can look at it as the day our lives changed forever and for the worse. OR we can view it as the day our lives changed for the better, the day when we were given a second chance to feel better and live our lives to the fullest. The choice is ours. Also: missing one Halloween in my life was enough!