Growing up

Moving up to high school is an exciting time - a new routine, new subjects, new friends - but you may not want everyone to know about your diabetes. You will need to take more responsibility for your diabetes since one teacher will not be responsible for you in the same way as before.

It may be helpful to tell a few people - such as your gym teacher and the school nurse - about your diabetes. It can also help if close friends and classmates know, in case you feel sick, or have to eat a snack during class. Try not to feel shy about your diabetes- remember that other children may have things they don't want to talk about either.

Puberty and Beyond

As you grow older, your body goes through many changes, and this can have quite an effect on your blood glucose control - and your attitude towards diabetes. It is harder to control diabetes as a young teenager, and you may begin to feel angry about eating healthy and testing regularly. Sleeping in late and changes in your meal plan can also affect the routines you had up until this point.

There are things you and your parents can do to make things easier so that you can join in everyday activities with your friends. For example, make sure your friends know about diabetes and if you can, carry a cell phone (and keep it on!). Don't forget about your diabetes while you are out enjoying yourself.

As you grow up, you naturally want to become more independent and less restricted by your parents' rules. You may be allowed more flexibility if you can demonstrate a mature and responsible attitude to your diabetes. You can't just forget about good diabetes control (even if there are times when you would like to) - it's just as important as ever. After all, the better you can look after yourself now, the better equipped you'll be when you are ready to leave home later on.

Both boys and girls with diabetes will develop normally and there is no reason why you should not look forward to getting married and starting your own family one day.