What is a diaversary? The anniversary of your diagnosis. Just like any day with a major life event attached, emotions definitely show up. How you choose to approach this date can be the best way to make it exactly what fits your family the best.
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Question 1: To celebrate a diaversary or not to celebrate?
The answer to this question is super important. Our family chose to go with a celebration that we survived and thrived the first year in spite of diabetes and an uphill battle to make life “normal” again. Milly had her yearly appointment with the endocrinologist that diagnosed her on her diaversary. We had to drive into the city for the appointment, so we decided to try and do something fun as well!
Other folks choose to treat the day like any other day and go about their business as usual. For folks who don’t enjoy parties or for families that don’t want to draw attention to the date, skipping even a mention of the date is fine, too. Just like diabetes is never the same between families, neither is the way a diagnosis “anniversary” is best appraoched.
Choose what works best for your diabetic and family, then don’t worry about what anyone thinks! Just surround yourself with people who make life better on a diaversary or any day of the week!
Question 2: Who does a diaversary involve?
The day of diagnosis for most people including family or friends other than the diabetic and probably some medical folks as well. Who you choose to involve has no wrong or right answer either!
For Milly’s first diaversary, and for several years afterwards, she had an endocrinology appointment scheduled near the hospital where she was diagnosed, so we took the opportunity to take doughnuts to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and doctors that cared for her so well. After a year of realizing how serious Type One Diabetes can be, Milly was ready to say thank you. She was so nervous about going into the hospital again, but she conquered her fear and was able to encourage the folks who encouraged her the year before.
The next year, she threw a pool party and celebrated “kicking diabetes tail” with a group of friends. Around here, any excuse for a party is a good one! Several years later, we did nothing but go out to eat and get the girl a slice of cheesecake.
In our experience, we are all acutely aware of the date and the emotions that arrive with it. We talk about it and don’t pretend like it never happened. However, Milly gets to choose if, how, when, and who we involve. After all this time, it still changes every year.
Question 3: Why would you choose to celebrate trauma?
We don’t! We celebrate the fact that Milly is strong enough to overcome all the surprises and hassles that diabetes has tossed her way. We acknowledge the fact that life is different than before her diagnosis, but we also pay attention to the triumphs in life that are sometimes more tricky because of diabetes. We also use the day to build up her confidence in how she has grown in her ability to handle the expected and unexpected throughout the year.
Some folks might highlight the drama/trauma, but life gives out enough of that without our help! We focus on the positives and learn how to process the negatives in a way that creates forward momentum in her life and acknowledge the support she has along the way.
Question 4: What are some inexpensive ideas to recognize the day?
In our opinion, the money spent is always secondary to the time together. Here’s a quick list of ideas that we have used over the years that range in price and time commitment for Milly’s diaversary from totally free to as much money as you want to spend!
- Lunch with a special friend at home or at a restaurant
- Tea party for two (or more)
- Taking treats to a local medical facility or hospital (Make sure to contact the office/hospital first to obtain permission!)
- Thank you notes to people who mean a lot and helped you out
- Notes FROM trusted family and friends to encourage during a tough season
- Park/pool/playground gathering – whether you mention a reason or not is up to you!
- A small age appropriate gift or token
- Lenny the Lion from Medtronic
- Diabetic supplies for dolls
- Pump Peelz device stickers
- Gift Card for a Sugar-free Snowcone
- Whatever else you can think of!
- Favorite foods for dinner
- Charm or some type of commemorative jewelry
- Whatever else you can think of to do!
Whatever, however, whenever you choose to act or acknowledge diagnosis day, you will still be aware of the day that life changed. Make the best choice for you family and do what works for you!
For additional information check out these posts here on SweetT1D!
Information on Diabetes Written Just for You!
5 First Things to Accomplish after a T1D Diagnosis
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