Diabetes: It sounds like such an ugly thing. The sound of the word diabetes makes me think something bad. When you hear the word said you're probably not thinking it is a good thing. DIABETES, I say it out loud to myself and I attempt to analyze it. The first part of the word says "Di" pronounced "die". DIABETES, I say it again. Why are you such an ugly sounding word? Can we rename you "beautiful-abetes"? That sounds a lot better. When you hear "diabetes" your mind instantly associates with bad. But, if our disease name was a word that didn't make you say "di(e)", I bet we wouldn't have as many people feeling sorry for us. How about "liveable-abetes"? I could LIVE with that!

I don't know, maybe a bunch of us could get a petition together to change the name?? I would personally take it to congress to see about getting that done!! (Just some food for thought).

But, if I could continue to be somewhat serious for a second, I have always had a problem with how the word diabetes makes me feel. It just sounds so darn miserable and nasty. It is basically like a cuss word. "Type-1 diabetic! Type-2 diabetic! Juvenile onset diabetes! DIABETES! DIABETES! DIABETES! AAHHHHHHH!!!!!! I am glad I don't have much hair as it is, because I would be pulling it out right now if I had any.

I am sure the way the world feels about diabetes will continue to evolve. As more and more people get diagnosed, people's idea of what diabetes is will change. In 5 years people may not even remember what diabetes was. In 5 years diabetes may be so common that when you hear the word said people will just look at you like you have a common cold. Whatever the case, I am just sick of feeling negative every time I hear the word "diabetes". Let's keep up the work on continuing to change that. Thanks for listening. -Andy