Well...I've been diabetic for 10 years now, since my 14th birthday. Quite the present, I assure you. On top of my own stresses I could see what it had done to my parents that day. The entire experience as I'm sure you know was awful. I wanted to share because I was angry, irrate fuming livid even. I felt consumed and changed by the disease. From time to time I feel overwhelmed but I now know a few healthy tips and tricks to push through and succeed.

I now try to share my story because my parents and I handled the situation completely wrong, in my opinion. However, we didn't know any better at the time. No one does

I want to share this with all the Juvenile Diabetics and their parents. Nobody has it all figured out. Everyone is scared initially. It is fine to ask your doctor everything, you should use there knowledge, but question their opinions. Meaning well and doing good are different things.

I've been out of control since diagnosis. Countless Doctors who wouldn't believe that I was exercising and eating right...& Eventually my parents didn't believe I was. It was frustrating and down right awful to deal with it. Parents if your child is telling you something listen. If they seem hopeless they probably are. Encourage them. Now Children/teens give your parents the benefit of the doubt. They don't know everything but they are there to support you in your toughest trials.

I've taken every type of insulin available for diabetics. For some reason (i do not know) many didn't work. So far pump therapy and what I'm taking now helps & my A1C is coming down. I believe there should be better groups out there who focus on the tougher questions, the unpleasant conversations. So many people don't want to talk about it because they don't want to be uncomfortable.
Well, I'm sorry but life is full of discomfort go through it as a family instead of seperately suffering.

Now, my parents and I can talk openly because they've made it about a relationship instead of judgement. I'm a successful photographer I travel with my work and have had amazing opportunities. Lately I've traveled to Missouri to document the tragedy that struck Joplin when the tornadoes came through that city. I live my life to the fullest and couldn't be happier and my parents are thrilled I do what I love. Of course they worry but they've turned it to concern instead of frustrating harping. Try talking and not lecturing.
As for my JDRF community. I love volunteering with this group. I've talked to many teens and younger children going through similar situations I was faced with. I'm not a doctor nor am I therapist or friend. I'm just someone who has learned listening really listening, understanding and persistence is key to success while managing T1D at any age.