Liam’s 10 Year Diaversary (2/28/2026)

Today marks something really special for our family — Liam’s 10-year diaversary.

On February 29, 2016, at just 2 years old, as you all know, Liam was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. We were thrown into a world we didn’t understand, forced to learn fast, adapt faster, and somehow find our footing while everything felt upside down.

Ten years later… here we are.

Not perfect. Not without challenges. Not without tough days, long nights, or moments of doubt. But ten years of showing up. Ten years of learning, adjusting, correcting, and continuing forward no matter what.

We both owe so much to this community and all the support received from each and every one of you. It hasn’t been easy or predictable, but manageable. You build confidence over time. You learn your patterns. You learn how to respond instead of react. And most importantly, you realize you’re stronger than you ever thought you could be.

Liam has grown up with this, but it has never defined him or limited what he can do. If anything, it’s built a level of strength, discipline, and awareness that will carry him far beyond this.

To mark this milestone, I made a special tribute video reflecting on the past 10 years — what we’ve learned, what we’ve overcome, and what this journey has meant to me.

10 Years Strong – Liam’s Type 1 Diabetes 10 Year Diaversary Tribute

Here’s to the next 10 years, and beyond! :blue_heart:

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Congratulations, Liam (and family)! Well done. :tada:

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Proud Papa, and deservedly so!

EDIT: And congrats to Liam for your continued success!

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Congratulations @Liam-M and family (@ClaudnDaye ) on the first of hopefully many 10 year Diaversaries!

:partying_face::birthday_cake::sparkler::bottle_with_popping_cork::tada::smiling_face_with_sunglasses:

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I know it’s not a thing we want to celebrate, but it’s great to reflect on it.

Cheers to Liam and all his accomplishments.

It is not easy for anyone. You work hard to feel “normal”, and then you work even harder to be better than normal.

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I actually think celebration is exactly what we should do. Not celebrating T1D ofcourse, but celebrating all the successes, knowledge and continued good health

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Exactly

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You know I treasure my journey awards. I am proud to have a 25 and 50 year award. These are special and free. I suggest getting him one for both 5 and 10 years. They will allow a person to go back and pick them up if they do not have them yet.

Also just so we know the 75th award includes a plate of your name on a stone monument at Lilly headquarters. It is humbling to stand next to it and know how far we have come.

https://childrenwithdiabetes.com/cwd-journey-award/

Rick

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No 5 and 10 year awards available anywhere that I can find. If there are, I’d love to get some links.

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go to this form,

https://childrenwithdiabetes.com/cwd-journey-award/request/

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Yes, that’s what I meant to say. We celebrate our successes and all we have learned! But we don’t say, “Yay, I got 'betes on this day”.

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Tears in my eyes as I watched your video. Happy 10 year Diaversary Liam! And family too! Compassionate, caring, and hardworking parents have enabled Liam to thrive!!

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I wish I had noted the date I was diagnosed with T2DM. It is the day I made changes that not only extended my life, but made it better.

With insulin resistance the quality of life slowly declines, so slow that one isn’t aware until, in my case, exercise made me more insulin sensitive.

It was 36 years ago and if I knew the date I would celebrate, because it gave me new life. The diabetes has progressed to me on a pump, but hey, 29 days from 76 I feel very good.

I celebrate all our successes especially @Liam-M and hurt when we do.

Imagine a fireworks sky - couldn’t get the gif to post :sparkler:

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What a genuine, heartfelt expression of overcoming all the obstacles of diabetes with a child. I don’t know if I could’ve handled. It haven’t gotten type one at age 72 really through me. Wondering how I got it as more older people are getting it. I heard in a training that 40% of type twos are really type ones. The best to you and your child and for all your successes.

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Thank you! The same wishes to you!

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