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What's it like to be a teen with Type 1?

Staff photos by KATHY MOORE

Janae Burnett, 11 (left), and Maya Jacobson, 13, offer interesting perspectives on the chronic disease.

By MARY SHEDDEN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 6, 2009

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Young people living with Type 1 diabetes offer an interesting perspective on the chronic disease. Here's some insight from a local teen and tween affiliated with the Florida West Coast Chapter of the Association of Diabetes Educators.

'It's just a part of my life now'

Maya Jacobson, 13, Clearwater

Living with diabetes: 1 year

What's the hardest part of living with Type 1? "At the beginning, it was pretty tough. I would have some cases where I was very upset; I didn't know what was going on. I couldn't control it. But now, I mean, it's so easy; it's just a part of my life now."

Question friends ask most: "'Does it hurt?' I say it hurts some areas of your leg ... I like to (inject into the) leg or thigh. Some people like to do their arm. But in some areas, it goes in like your leg was cream cheese or butter. That's how easy it goes in. You don't even feel it. But then other places it will hurt, and when you take it out it will start to bleed. But it's really not that bad."

How do you handle confusion over different kinds of diabetes? "People have said to me, 'Oh, my grandma has it, too, and if you exercise, it will go away.' I say no, it can't. Type 2 diabetes can be controlled with the correct diet and exercise, and Type 1 diabetes will not go away even if you exercise 24 hours a day and eat nothing but salad. It just won't go away."

Do you feel restricted toward foods now that you have to count carbs and sugars all the time? "I can even eat cupcakes. I'll be eating dessert, and someone comes up and asks if I'm allowed to be eating it. And I say, 'Yes, I am.'"

Quick sugar fix you carry: Glucose tablets and juice boxes

'I don't get treated the same'

Janae Burnett, 11, New Port Richey

Living with diabetes: 6 years

What's the hardest part of living with Type 1? "I don't get treated the same. I have to take shots every day and it just stinks. Because if I don't do that or I don't eat right, like when I'm sick, I have to eat or go to the doctor."

Question friends ask most: "They ask about my blood sugar monitor, but not about (insulin) shots. I wish they would start asking me about that, and not the blood sugar monitoring machine. A lot of them say they've been to the doctor and done it before, and it's annoying."

How do you manage stressful situations, such as a test at school, when you know you can't ask for help? "Whenever I'm in the middle of some very big stuff where I can't interrupt, I know I need to check my blood sugar before, so I know what to do."

What's something you want people to know about living with diabetes? "It doesn't make me any different, so don't be afraid to hang out with me. Don't be afraid to just do the things with me that you do with any of your other friends. And don't make fun of it. It's a disease. It's not funny."

Quick sugar fix you carry: Soda and candy

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