Friday Five: 5 Projects to Spread Diabetes Awareness

 

Today is November 14th which happens to be World Diabetes Day, a day to spread awareness about Diabetes . This is a topic that is important to me because almost 7 years ago my middle daughter, who had just turned 7 at the time, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Since then I have made a few projects for Diabetes Awareness and thought that with today being World Diabetes Day (and the whole month of November being Diabetes Awareness Month) I thought it would be a good theme for today. 

Projects for Diabetes Awareness

Over the years my daughter has been really good about both advocating for her needs and educating people about Type 1 Diabetes. She has done school presentations several times to talk about it and is always willing to answer questions. She has become a little more private as she has entered her teenage years, but is still always willing to talk and share her experience with anyone who asks. I have been so proud of how she has continued to spread awareness to others and share her experience. Most of the following project or posts include t-shirts that I made for Lucy, one is some stickers that we made to hand out at a presentation she did, and the other is not so much a project but more an informational post. 

1- Type One Diabetes Awareness

As I mentioned above this post is not actually a project, although some of the pictures show shirts that I made for Lucy, instead it is her diagnosis story and some information about Type 1 Diabetes to hopefully help bring awareness to the signs and symptoms, as well dispel some myths and misunderstandings about Type 1. 

2- Type One Diabetes T-Shirt Designs

Shortly after Lucy's diagnosis she asked me to make her some diabetes themed shirts so of course I did. She picked out a few different designs that I found ready to cut in Cricut Design Space. The four included in this post say "Type One Diabetes Warrior" "Type 1 of a Kind" "I'm not a Superhero but I'm Fighting Diabetes" and "a Juice Box Saved My Life". There were several other designs also available in Design Space, but these were the ones she picked. I think "A Juice Box Saved My Life" might be my favorite. 

3- Parent/Child Type 1 Diabetes Shirts

The next project is a set of t-shirts that are a mom or dad and child set. The parent shirt says "Full-Time Mom (or Dad) Part-Time Pancreas" and the matching shirt for the kid says "Proud Owner of a Useless Pancreas" 

4- I Can Do Anything Diabetes Shirt Design

The last t-shirt design I am including in this roundup is one that says "I can do anything, except make insulin". I loved this shirt for Lucy because that is definitely her attitude towards her diabetes diagnosis. It doesn't stop her or hold her back in any way. She 100% believes that she can do anything she puts her mind to, except maybe make insulin (and hear because she is also deaf, but that doesn't hold her back or stop her either). She might need insulin, and she may need to stop and drink a juice sometimes, and maybe a few other accommodations to take care of her needs, but that won't stop her from participating in sports, school activities, church activities, camps, travel opportunities, or hold her back in pursuing her talents and going after her dreams for her future. She knows diabetes doesn't need to hold her back in any way. 

5- Diabetes Awareness Stickers

Last but not least is a couple of different Diabetes Awareness Sticker Designs. A few years ago my daughter decided she wanted to do a presentation in her class sharing about Type 1 Diabetes, what it is, what her diagnosis was like, the devices she uses, how it may affect her in class, etc. She really wanted something she could hand out to the kids in her class after the presentation, she specifically asked for some kind of awareness ribbons, so we came up with a couple of different sticker designs that we printed and cut out. Both designs feature a diabetes awareness ribbon. 

I know this week's Friday Five was a little different than others, but it is something I feel very passionate about. If sharing our experience and bringing awareness to Type 1 Diabetes can help another child's symptoms be recognized and get them the help they need in a timely manner then it is absolutely worth it to me.