Diabetesopoly: The Living With Diabetes Game

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February 3rd was Diabetes Art Day, and yes, Mom, I'm still late with my assignments. Some things never change. 

Much like the ubiquitous board game, living with diabetes is a strategic effort between the body, the mind and many external factors. As much as this piece shows many aspects to be considered by people living with diabetes, it also gives an insight into the complexity of living with it.

Larry and I collaborated on this board. Larry has been living with Type 2 for about 8 years and I've been living with Type 1 for 25 years. Needless to say, we've been around the board a few times.




Imagined by: Larry & Jamie
Medium: Digital (using Excel 2007)
Monopoly Copyright: Public Domain

I admit, our submission went beyond the norm, but what the heck. I think Larry and I have expressed ourselves quite nicely via this traditional office software turned alternative art form - a digital media and a simple game board. And believe it or not, Excel and lots of imagination were the only mediums used for this project. Ok, I admit, the cupcake image was 'borrowed'.

In our household, we express ourselves in two ways - words and music. Of course it can be argued that music is an art form, but does not work well in this format. As for words, by default, are somewhat off limits for the nature of this project.

This creation has been posted at this year's Diabetes Art Day 2014 Gallery. I urge you to wander over there at some point soon. It's definitely a worthwhile trip.

Now, for the uninitiated who might be wondering what Diabetes Art Day is all about, it is best summed up by Lee Ann Thill:

Diabetes Art Day is a web-based initiative for the Diabetes Online Community to “tell a story” about life with diabetes though creative visual expression. It’s a way for us to tell our stories so we can connect and share with each other and with our loved ones. It’s a way to generate diabetes awareness outside of the DOC by sharing artwork on Facebook, Twitter, blogs and community websites. Diabetes Art Day is for people young and old with any type of diabetes and their families, so children, spouses, parents, siblings, or anyone who is affected by diabetes can participate. For this one day, you’re encouraged to break out of your linguistic comfort zone, bust out some art materials, and make a piece of artwork – painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, an installation piece, a mixed media something or other, or whatever you can imagine. Whether you have lots of experience making art or none at all, Diabetes Art Day is for you to show the world what it’s like to live with diabetes in that “a picture is worth 1000 words” kind of way. 

So there you have it. Our Diabetes Art Day submission for 2014. We'd love to hear what you have to say about our alternative art expression.