When you’ve got diabetes you might feel that it makes you different from your friends. But really, you’re the same as them, you’ve just got extra things you have to do. You have to think about testing, injections, food and what you’re going to be doing every day. It can be hard work, but having the help of your friends and family can make it easier.

Your friends

• At first you might not want anyone to know that you have diabetes, this is understandable but it's safer if someone knows.
• Depending on how you feel you might want to explain simply what diabetes is to a few close friends. You can show them your meter and how you do a blood glucose test (but don’t do a test on them), tell them about your insulin injections and explain about hypos so they learn to look out for you and help you.
• Mum, Dad or someone at home can help you practise what to say to explain diabetes to your friends.
• Sometimes diabetes can get in the way of the stuff you and your friends are doing and it might seem easier to pretend it’s not there and hope it’ll go away. The trouble is that diabetes doesn’t go away and if you don’t look after it, you might miss out on all the things your friends are doing.
• Meeting other kids with diabetes can be helpful. It’s good to go to camp and make friends with other kids going through the same things as you. Try to keep in touch with them after camp.

Your brothers or sisters

• You might think that diabetes only affects you, but lots of brothers and sisters worry about diabetes too.
• They might worry about you and if you’re going to be okay or that they’ll get diabetes.
• They might feel left out because they think you’re getting all the attention or that you’re the favourite in the family.
• It's great when Mum, Dad or someone at home makes special time for everyone, like when you’re at camp, they can do something special with your brother or sister. When they’re away, you can do something special with the family.
• You might not always get on with your brother or sister, which is okay, but try not to let diabetes get in the way of how you treat each other.
• Talk to your Mum, Dad or someone at home if you’re worried.