It’s officially the start of Diabetes Blog Week! This is the third consecutive one I have participated in and I’m excited to write blogs each day this week.
Today’s prompt is the following question: What is the most important diabetes awareness message to you? After giving it some thought, I decided on something short and sweet.
Diabetes doesn’t define me.
In my diabetes advocacy, I’ve done my best to spread the message that I’m more than my diabetes. There are so many things besides my diabetes that can describe me and have shaped me into the person I am. I’m a writer, a Harry Potter aficionado, a food and fitness freak (yes, I know that’s ironic—so what?), a Disney addict, a thrifty shopper, a fan of my loved ones. “A diabetic” is merely thrown somewhere into that mix of eclectic titles that I can honestly say I’m proud to claim.
This message is important to me because it conveys that my diabetes doesn’t stop me from doing anything I want to do. Sure, my diabetes can make it a bit more difficult to achieve certain goals, but what’s life without a little challenge? I’ve learned to accept that diabetes and problem-solving go hand in hand, and my acknowledgment of this fact has caused me to discover more about myself and my ability to cope.
On that note, let diabetes blog week commence! I’m looking forward to reading other blogs and enjoying the sense of community over the next several days.
