I see 2 slogans/concepts 2 diabetes organizations have built their identities on. The 2 different organizations are nationwide supporters, according to them, of MY diabetes, but the two concepts confuse me when put together.
The two concepts put into (catch) phrases and slogans:
YOU CANNOT PREVENT TYPE ONE DIABETES
and
STOP DIABETES
The first one is currently displayed on a billboard along the freeway, at the exit for my house. The
other one hangs on my keychain.
It’s confusing.
Neither one is particularly inspiring on its own for me as a type one diabetic/person with diabetes/my name is Amy.
It isn’t that I don’t understand these organizations need money to keep alive and to accomplish their goals. It isn’t that I don’t understand that people have determined that making things sound awful is a great way to get donations.
It’s that I feel overlooked.
Overlooked by the two loudest voices out there proclaiming to support me.
It’s confusing.
Maybe they have been instructed by their advertising boards that people in Amarica can’t remember complicated issues.
(I just HAD to leave that typo in.)
It is likely the same “sound bite” and “dumb it down” idea that has hit us all.
But that mentality isn’t what we who live with diabetes actually live. We live complicated thought
processes 24 hours a day without vacation. We manage the incredibly complex task of keeping our blood glucose levels in near-normal ranges and continue on with the rest of our daily lives at the same speed as everyone else.
It’s confusing.
So maybe I’ll just need to amend the two campaign slogans at least for myself. I think I’ll have to add to each so they work for me and for those who I know who live with diabetes.
I think it’ll go something like:
While you cannot prevent type one diabetes, you can absolutely live the life you want by paying attention and taking care of yourself.
When I choose to stop diabetes from preventing me from doing what I want to do, I win.
Won’t fit on a billboard or a keychain, but it seems like a much more accurate and positive fit for me and my life.
What do you think? What slogans would work for YOU and YOUR diabetes?
Duck fiabetes.