Kids & Parents

Living with Diabetes

Living with diabetes can be challenging, especially when you’ve just been diagnosed. Although diabetes may affect you for the rest of your life, you can still have a hand in managing how it affects you and your family.

The more you and your family know about diabetes, the better off you’ll all be in terms of understanding and treating the condition.

Many young people, and their parents, may feel angry and disappointed to find out they have diabetes. It takes time to process the information and emotions that come with it, so take your time. Be sure to ask your doctors lots of questions to better understand what is happening to you.

Going to school with Diabetes

When kids have dealt with being diagnosed with diabetes, the next thing that probably worries them is school. Most kids don’t want to be different in any way, and kids with diabetes can often feel very different.

However, kids should be assured that they will be able to participate in all their normal activities, like sports and camps, and that they really won’t be any different at all.

You should make an appointment to speak to your child’s teacher, and possibly their principal, after your child is diagnosed with diabetes. Teachers should be made aware that your child may need to eat in class, and of course, everyone needs to know what to do in case of an emergency.