Hi!   It's not surprising most people don't know the difference because of the 18 or so million people who have diabetes, the majority are Type 2, so that's what your friend hears about the most. You can't blame anyone for not knowing until you take the time to teach them! If I didn't have diabetes, I probably wouldn't the difference either, right?   I'm often explain it like this to my friends: "Type 2 is the kind you usually see on the news. You can get it when you're older or younger often because you're overweight or your body just isn't making enough insulin. The kind I have usually happens when you're young and you can't prevent it and I didn't cause it. I don't make any insulin.   What do you think?   -Ginger