10 Things I Want My Friends to Know

When I'm testing my blood sugar or injecting insulin, please don't get grossed out or make a big deal about it.
Please stop telling me I can't eat something because there's sugar in it! I can eat all the same things you can, just in smaller portions and with a dose of insulin.
Just because I've had diabetes for a long time doesn't mean I ever get used to it. Most days I'm fine, but some days my diabetes can still get the best of me.
I'm not going to die every time I check my blood sugar or experience lows.
You don't need to announce to everyone that I have diabetes; I'll tell them if I want.
Having diabetes is like a full-time job and can be exhausting — so please be patient with me.
Just because I have diabetes doesn't mean I can't play sports and do all the things everyone else does.
It's OK to ask me questions about my diabetes — I want to help you understand what it's like!
I didn't do anything to cause my type 1 diabetes, and there's still no cure.
Diabetes doesn't define who I am, it's just something I have.

*This list was created from Juvenation.org user comments and input on the Juvenation.org site. While individuals with type 1 may differ on the specific things about diabetes that they'd like their friends to know, the items on this list reflect common themes shared by many Juvenation members.

more 'educating others' pages

Type 1 Diabetes Simplified
Top 10 Annoying Things People Say
Live with Diabetes for a Day

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