Celebrating your diaversary

What it means to celebrate a diabetes diagnosis date, or diaversary.

I’m Naomi, a Medtronic employee living with type 1 diabetes. It feels like just yesterday that I woke up in the hospital bed with a new diagnosis that would forever change the course of my life. But the truth is, it wasn’t yesterday — it was almost 23 years ago!

When I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on September 2, 2001, I was only 12 years old. While in the hospital bed, I experienced a defining moment. My dad and I were talking about the “sweetness” of life and how vital it would be for me to find ways to not only accept my diabetes, but to embrace it.

This stuck with me, and I started to begin to look for intentional ways to celebrate my diabetes. Yes, I know that “celebrate” is a strong word. However, I naturally look for any reason to celebrate, so this is very much in line with who I am!
 

What’s a diaversary?

Shortly after the hospital stay, I learned the term “diaversary,” which is an annual recognition of the date of the day of diagnosis. It’s basically an anniversary date with a disease that we didn’t want to get into a relationship with, but here we are!

Some people don’t know the exact day of their diagnosis, so they recognize it within that month (or hand-select a date that they stay consistent with). I know that mine was September 2.

Each year on September 2, I take some time to look back on how much has changed: my mindset, my physical health, personal milestones accomplished, the progression of diabetes tech and management, and any new positive changes that have been made.
 

How do you celebrate a diaversary?

Similar to how birthdays or relationship anniversaries vary, my “celebrations” have looked different each year. It’s all very dependent on what my life/diabetes care looked like at the time.

As soon as I found out about the concept of a diaversary, I made a huge deal out of the milestone. Since everything was so new to me, it was important to look back on my progress. I actually used to celebrate my diaversary every single month — for quite a while! That helped me cope at the time. But I’ve changed because diabetes is such a part of me now, so once a year feels more appropriate.

Here are a few ways that I’ve celebrated:

• Wearing blue or something diabetes-themed
• Going out for a special meal with loved ones
• Enjoying my favorite bolus-worthy dessert: red velvet cupcakes
• Getting surprised with cards or meaningful gifts, like a scrapbook filled with messages from loved ones (on my 20th diaversary)
• Receiving a 21-year-old themed care package with 21st birthday celebrations from my family (on my 21st) 
  
  
   
• Taking time to reflect while in a peaceful place, like on a beach
• Going on a day trip to a fun place (in one case, it was a faraway city for wine tasting)
• Looking at old diabetes products that I own, like my very first blood glucose meter and first logbook from 2001
• Going on a hot air balloon ride (that was a big year marker!)
• Crossing off an item on my bucket list in Rome (this wasn’t intentionally planned, but worked out beautifully)
• Enjoying balloons! As I look back on pictures over the years, there have been many blue balloons (always with the same number of balloons for the number of years being celebrated)

At the end of the day, it’s essential to carve out moments to look back on your journey. Since we’re in this together for the long haul, do what you need to do so that you have time to step back, breathe, and give yourself a very big pat on the back. Including your loved ones in the fun makes it that much better, because they’ve been walking alongside you on this journey, too!
 

Recognize it for the first time

If you’re considering recognizing your diaversary, here are three things to remember:

1. By using terms like “celebrating,” it doesn’t mean that you’re glossing over all the hardship that you endure. It’s important to still take time to recognize that, while also looking at the resilience you’ve shown along the way.
2. You might not feel like celebrating every year, and that’s OK! If I’m experiencing a season of burnout from my health, I usually try and recognize the date in a simpler way.
3. Take the pressure off. If you want to recognize your diaversary, that’s great. If not, that’s fine too! Each individual story with diabetes is different and a lot of “life” happens from year to year, so try and remove those preconceived notions. A diaversary is meant to encourage and uplift you, but don’t recognize it when it doesn’t feel right.

This year, I’ll recognize 23 years, but I’m already starting to dream up what my 25th year will look like!

So let us know in the comments — do you recognize your diabetes diagnosis date? If so, what are some ways you've "celebrated" over the years?