What does D-I-A-B-E-T-E-S mean to you?

How would you define D-I-A-B-E-T-E-S? What kind of feelings and emotions come to mind when you think about diabetes and it’s impact in your life? Shannon (from the D.O.C.) recently wrote two diabetes word poems and shared them on Facebook (they are both shared here with her permission). Her daughter Logan, now 15, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age 12. As a parent of a child with diabetes, Shannon knows diabetes intimately.

Her post inspired me to think about what D-I-A-B-E-T-E-S means to me. Thank you for this inspiration Shannon. The first two poems below were written by Shannon and the third was written by me. Thanks for reading.

Fadzly @ Shutterhack / Foter

This describes DIABETES:

D – Dangerous

I – Irritating

A – Aggravating

B – Bloody

E – Exhausting

T – Time Consuming

E – Emotional

S – Scary

BUT, this defines the DIABETIC:

D – DETERMINED to find a cure

I – INCREDIBLE determination

A – ASPIRING to others

B – BRAVE beyond belief

E – EDUCATED on T1 & T2

T – THANKFUL for research

I – INSPIRATIONAL to non-D’s

C – COURAGEOUS in their fight

Love & Understand a Diabetic Today!

-Shannon Spires Moxley, April 2012

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What D-I-A-B-E-T-E-S means to me:

D – DARING. Dares to live the life of their dreams despite diabetes.

I – INSPIRATIONAL. Inspires others with their perseverance, courage & positive attitude.

A – ACHIEVER. Achieves their goals, overcoming obstacles & barriers to reach them.

B – BRAVE. Brave in the face of fear, pain and uncertainty.

E – EXCELS. Knows how to focus their energy and excel with diabetes.

T – TEACHER. Teaches others about not taking their health & life for granted.

E – EXPERIENCED. Experienced with doctors, needles, clinics & all things diabetes.

S – STOIC. In spite of all diabetes brings us, we remain stoic. We keep plugging away determined to live a good life.

-Cynthia Zuber, April 2012

Now it’s your turn! How do you define D-I-A-B-E-T-E-S? What words would you use in your word poem? Whether you or your child live with diabetes, this is a great way to let out some feelings about living with diabetes. Have you taken the time to think about who you’ve become despite the challenges and struggles you sometimes face as an individual living with diabetes? The positive qualities you have developed may surprise and encourage you. I welcome you to share your D-I-A-B-E-T-E-S (or other chronic health condition) poem below in the comments! Have fun!

Pink Sherbet Photography / Foter

Blessings, light and love,

Cynthia

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