World Diabetes Day

Today is World Diabetes Day. In honor of this day I salute people, like my son, who have diabetes as well as their caregivers/supporters. We're all in this together.

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Many will take this day to spread awareness of this auto-immune disease and try to dispel the myths and stigmatisms that surround it. I don't want to get too preachy, I just want to mention all the things my type 1 diabetic son can do. He's no different than any other 11-year old boy, except he wears an insulin pump and has to check his blood sugar levels and dose himself with insulin accordingly.

In spite of having diabetes...

he goes to Middle School and maintains A-B Honor Roll grades.
he plays video games and hangs out with his friends.
he eats pizza and chocolate cake. (yep, because it's only a myth that sugar causes diabetes and that once you get it you can never eat sugary products again)
he swims and runs and kicks my butt at chess.
he laughs and plays pranks.
he likes toilet humor and fart jokes.
he flies model airplanes and rides his scooter.
he thinks he might be a teacher in the future.
he has a great smile.
he has a sunny demeanor.


According to the International Diabetes Federation, there are 382 million people living with diabetes worldwide. Check out this link  and this link if you want to learn more about World Diabetes Day.