How to Celebrate Your Diabetes Diagnosis Day
The day you are diagnosed with diabetes is one you likely won't forget.
Many people in the diabetes community have turned to celebrating their diagnosis "anniversaries" instead of allowing them to be a reminder of negativity or stress.
Here are a few ways to celebrate your diabetes diagnosis day, no matter how long you've been living with the condition.
Make a List of Positive Aspects
It's easy to focus on all the limitations that diabetes can bring, but your diagnosis day is the perfect opportunity to reflect on how your life has changed for the better since having diabetes.
For example, maybe you have become more active, more health-conscious or more appreciative of life. Or perhaps your diagnosis inspired you to change career paths, start a new chapter in your marriage or help others with diabetes in some way.
Whatever you can come up with, make a list of the positive aspects of having diabetes and start the day of your diagnosis anniversary with a grateful attitude.
Become a Medalist
The Joslin Diabetes Center has a "Medalist Program" for people who have been living with diabetes for 25, 50 or 75 years.
If your diabetes diagnosis anniversary falls on one of these milestone years, apply for a medal. If not, consider creating a medal for yourself (this is also a great thing to do with kids who have diabetes) or creating a custom coin for every year you've lived with the condition.
Support the Cause
What better way to celebrate your diagnosis day than to give back? Find a way to support the diabetes cause either in your local community or nationally.
Volunteer opportunities abound when it comes to raising money, working at events or engaging in public speaking opportunities.
To find a way to get involved, visit the American Diabetes Association's website.
Do the Impossible
When you were diagnosed, it's likely you had doubts about what you would be able to do with your life as a diabetic.
Whether it was traveling to a new country, joining a sports team or finally losing weight, do something on your diabetes anniversary that seemed impossible to you at the time of your diagnosis - and celebrate the fact that you haven't let diabetes stop you from living your most fulfilled life.
Splurge
Diabetics must live in a constant state of restriction when it comes to what they eat, so consider giving yourself a hall pass and splurging on something you usually can't enjoy (as long as you do so safely, of course).
Allow yourself to have a bit of your favorite foods or celebrate the occasion with a nice meal at a restaurant, enjoying the chance to eat something normally off limits. Just make sure you monitor your blood sugar appropriately or make adjustments to your diet the day of your splurge.
The more you can embrace your diabetes diagnosis day as an opportunity to celebrate, the more you'll feel in control when it comes to your health. Mark the occasion with loved ones and participate in whatever activities make you feel empowered, healthy and vibrant.
Source: T1 Everyday Magic, Joslin Diabetes Center
Image courtesy of Serge Bertasius Photography/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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