It’s not just another day as a Diabetic… No, It’s much more than that.

Waking up you realize another year has passed. Another 365 days of work, school, raising children - what have you. It’s true bliss acknowledging the fact that you were born “x” amount of years ago, and here you are. You look forward to the “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” wishes from family and close friends. You might plan on going out for a celebratory drink or just possibly overindulge in pounds and pounds of cake. That’s what birthday’s are all about, right?!

But having a birthday being a diabetic is much more than just an age difference.

A birthday as a diabetic signifies an accomplishment like no other. It’s an accomplishment that’s never truly seen by the naked eye. But when you’re the diabetic, you realize all the hard work it took you to get here today.

You know the work you put in. With the upper hundreds to thousands of needle sticks a year. Or the thousands of times you checked your blood sugar throughout the year. What about the carb counting - or fixing your sugar when you over or underestimated your insulin requirements? Did I forget about the exercise necessary to manage your weight or to simply just help manage your diabetes in general?  Not to mention the sleepless nights when you had a low, had to eat a snack, and stay up until you were safe to go back to sleep. Being a diabetic you appreciate the mornings you wake up, again and again, day after day. It doesn’t get easier, you just get stronger. Each birthday that comes around, you realize you’re a lot stronger and wiser than the last. Not only do you put life’s load of difficulties onto your back, but your battling an illness that’s completely out of your control.

Diabetes definitely has it’s ups and downs - highs and lows. It may not be easy, but it’s worth it. Making it to your birthday, each and every year - whether diagnosed for one year or 20 - it means you pushed through and here you are. You get to look around the room, at your family or your other many blessings in life. You realize this is why you push through and persevere - each and every day - 365 days a year.

I know without Diabetes I wouldn’t be who I am today. So for that I’m grateful… Here’s to another Happy Birthday and many more to come!

Disclaimer: The experiences and suggestions recounted in these articles are not intended as medical advice, and they are not necessarily the “typical” experiences of families with a child who has type 1 diabetes. These situations are unique to the families depicted. Families should check with their healthcare professionals regarding the treatment of type 1 diabetes and the frequency of blood glucose monitoring.