Aging

With time comes new experience, new ideas, new friend.

As I dive into my junior year of high school, I am starting to make new friends! With that said, it leads me to my connection with diabetes...

...How is having diabetes and making new friends different when you're older differ from when you're younger in terms of diabetes? I've never read anything like this online, or seen any diabetic video, so I thought I'd make a post on my blog today!

1. Diabetes isn't as big of a deal
As some of you who are reading my blog may know, I went to three different elementary schools! Yes. Three. Anyway, every time I switched schools, my dad would come into my classroom to talk to my peers about what diabetes is and about what I have to do. He'd also let them know how to help me, what is needed of them, etc. Finally, my parents made sure to sit down with my teachers and explain my situation.

However, now when I meet new people and friends in high school, I usually don't really mention it unless the subject happens to come up/ For example, they may notice my pump and me blousing, and I would just say, "I have diabetes and have to give myself insulin." If they want to know more, they know they can ask me!

In addition, all my teachers get is a beginning-of-the-year email from my counselor letting them know I have diabetes... but let's be honest - most of them probably don't read their emails. I know for a fact at least half of my teachers didn't know I was diabetic until I brought it up.

2. Not as big of a deal!
This point is pretty similar to my first, but it's honestly so much less of a deal in high school. Back in grade school, all of the kids would ask me what this is, and what that is. I  never really minded (is that the correct word? it just sounds kinda odd hhaah) telling them about my condition.

Now in high school, I don't think anyone has really asked me any questions.. maybe one person in my three years so far!

3. It doesn't take over everything!
When I was younger, I feel like many of my peers remembered me as "the girl with diabetes." Now, since most people probably don't even know I have diabetes, it's not part of my label!