Hi Josh
There's a section on here for young people / adults. You'll find you're not alone I'm sure and you can perhaps develop some 'virtual' friends.
As you can see from my photo I'm an old git (or middle-aged git at least) but I, like many others on here, are friendly and approachable. Sometimes it's hard to share things with those close to you and it's easier to talk to strangers. Perversely some strangers can be more friendly than friends. I would suggest that two of the reasons that your family and friends are not as receptive to you as they may be is that a) they don't know HOW to react to your condition and b) they don't understand it.
When my wife was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness (not diabetes) some of her friends disappeared. Most were scared and simply didn't know what to say, some were not friends at all. She came through thankfully and the original friends who stuck with her are now better friends, and she's made new ones.
You say your friends treat you differently. Well, you are different. You're probably stronger. To have coped with your condition for so long you are bloody strong. You can't tell people how to react to you, all you can do is be you. Ultimately people will like and admire you for who you are, not for what they want you to be.
Keep going and good luck. Keep popping back here for a chat.
how do you all cope with it?
