Fitting In :(

General
1

Does/Did anyone have trouble fitting in at school? I do because of my type one and I need some help on what to do about it. Can anyone help?? :frowning:

2

I can relate to a certain extent–the main thing is to find people who don’t judge you for your T1D, but rather support you and help you through it. I have a few amazing friends who will wait for me to do my insulin before lunch or help me to the nurse if I go low unexpectedly. I don’t ask them to do that–I make it clear that I can be self-sufficient and I don’t need their “pity” by any means–but it’s certainly better than the folks who make derogatory comments or try to use my condition as a way to insult me.
My point: once you find your “core group”, things will be a lot easier. That’s true whether you have T1D or not. Fitting in can be hard for everyone–just keep going and you can get through it!

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3

My daughter has had these same challenges, and we’ve found that the more she talks about it, the more the others kids understand, and the less big of a deal it has become. She gave her Science class a talk about how her T1D affects her just this week, and she was so surprised at how many good questions people asked. It also have her a chance to tell her whole class that T1D isn’t something that she got because she eats poorly and doesn’t exercise. That she can eat anything they can eat and do anything they do, she just has to think about some things a little more. She got to tell everyone that it’s not contagious, so they can’t get it from being around her. And, she got to tell everyone that it’s not the same thing as what their Type 2 Grandparents have. Her tag line was “I can do anything you can do, except produce my own insulin”. I also like what bookworm says above, about enrolling other people in participating with you. T1D is just part of your life now. Others have to take ADHD meds, or have an EpiPen, etc. T1D just takes a little more hardware.

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4

Personally, I felt the same way but I just told them what I have and went on through school. It made me feel different but in a good way cause I felt unique!

5

I always struggled with the thought of being “different” in school. I wanted so badly to fit in, and I just didn’t because of my T1D. As I’ve gotten older I have started to embrace my uniqueness. Being different from everyone else is a gift. It’s important to love every part of yourself, because you are perfect just the way you are.

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I get support from my teammates when I play softball and basketball. I have also made friends through drama and theater. Try joining an activity that you enjoy doing so that you can meet people with similar interest. And if you are okay with it, let people know.

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i have struggled with this for years and still do! but my close friends understand it and it’s made it way easier! it’s just a work in progress and it will get better trust me!

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8

I feel the exact same way Amanda!! It has been hard for me to fit in with others because no one understands it completely at my school!

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