I don’t like to use this blog to toot my own horn (who needs more of that; have you watched TV lately?!) but I do think it is important to use milestone days to mark progress in our lives.
23 years ago this afternoon, I was diagnosed with type one diabetes. That photo is of me 23 years ago exactly.
Stopped at home after my doctor diagnosed me. On my way to the hospital for my four day stay.
It still makes me sad to see it. I was such a sick little girl!!
I know a lot of people refer to their diagnosis date as their diabirthday. I never have, and I don’t think I ever will, in large part because I don’t think I was born that day!
I’ve always been me. Before and after diagnosis. Sure, I lost my way at times, and sure, I spent years in fear of my diabetes. But I’ve always been me.
I'm the one in purple; my diabetes is black; circa 1993.
THAT is one thing I’ll celebrate today.
Another thing I’ll celebrate today is a year of blogging! I hope some of you have found some of the posts amusing, thought-provoking, motivating, informative, and I hope most of the posts you have read have assured you that you are not alone with your struggles with diabetes.
Yet another thing I celebrate on the anniversary of my diagnosis? I celebrate that I’m not that sick little girl anymore.
I celebrate that I’m not the scared teenager anymore.
I celebrate that my diabetes led me to the people I’ve gotten to meet and learn from that I wouldn’t know existed were I never diagnosed.
I celebrate and am thankful for each of these things, and never ever take any of it for granted.
If I hadn’t gone through any of those struggles, I wouldn’t be who I am. I wouldn’t be able to relate to those currently struggling and I wouldn’t know I could help families, parents, kids, teens, and adults living with diabetes. I wouldn’t be motivated to take care of my body in the same way: through exercise, healthy living, and with gratitude and I hope grace and humility (today excepted).
Thank you for being a part of my life with diabetes, and thank you for inviting me into your life!
Amy
