Let's start with me.
I'm 17 years old, I have an older sister and a twin brother. I'm the only one in my immediate family to have diabetes. I was diagnosed when I was 6 years old and have struggled with my diabetes in the past. My parents raised us to be very independent and aware of our bodies, so by the time I was in about 5th grade, I knew how to take care of myself.
Unfortunately, once I was in middle school I started to feel the pressure of fitting in and to me being a diabetic wasn't fitting in. I started to ignore my diabetes and I ended up in the hospital a few times in 8th grade (the first time I was in a diabetic coma for about 18 hours), had a very bad A1C, and was just not taking care of myself.
Finally, high school came around and I had set up a good support system with my friends and family members. it got easier and I enjoyed telling people about diabetes.
I am now at an A1C level my doctor is happy with, loosing weight at healthy pace, and doing everything I want to.