It's an old question but one that many people can't agree upon. If you call yourself a diabetic, does it mean that all of your personality is affected by one illness? If you call yourself a person with diabetes does that mean that you are more than your illness?

No one says I am a Cancer-ic, a Heart attacker or other such titles. Maybe, "I am an arthritic," is used, but it doesn't sound right. Is that used? Why and how did the habit of being called diabetics get started and why do people continue using it?

When I was first diagnosed I took offense when I was called a diabetic. After that I really didn't care much. I'd only correct someone who called me that if I didn't like them. But then as I got older I developed other diseases and found that calling myself one disease's name didn't work.

I'd much rather be called healthy, but I can only aim for that title now.

With that said I am also diabetic. Its just apart of me, but I do classify myself as Diabetic.

I just say I'm a type 2 diabetic. I'd rather be called healthy, also.