Back in 2013, I attended my first BlogHer Conference and I had the pleasure of sitting next to Sheryl Sandberg. During one of the activities, we were asked to write down what we would do if we were not afraid.

It didn’t take me long to write down what I do because it was something that was very present in my daily life. [pullquote]I was afraid of the social stigma around having type 2 diabetes.[/pullquote]

I was blogging about living with type 2 diabetes under an alias. I didn’t want people to search my name in google and find out. I didn’t want to rule myself out of new opportunities because the information was public knowledge. I didn’t tell people on my job because I didn’t want to be seen differently. I hid it as much as I could because I didn’t think that I had the power to change anyone’s mind. I didn’t want to hear another person say that I caused diabetes or brought this chronic illness upon myself. I didn’t want to hear or face the extreme ignorance.

So, I hid behind an alias for 6 years. I hid under Dr. P. instead of using my real name because I was afraid that it would mean experiencing another type of discrimination. And, being newly diagnosed, I didn’t want to think about that.

Slowly, however, I realized that I didn’t have to fight the stigma of living with diabetes alone. That there are many of us doing it and that my single voice is strong when joined with the many. I have had amazing opportunities granted to me when I was scared that I would be missing out. (It’s true what they say, when you step out on faith, they way is already made).

I have become more confident. I now know that people’s ignorance cannot hold me back from my blessings. My purpose and passion is larger than that.

This Diabetes Awareness Month, I officially retire the alias Dr. P. 

If you would like to watch my video reveal click on the link