Whenever I think about my Type One Diabetes, I always end up thinking about my friends. Without my friends, my life with this disease would be nowhere near the same. My friends are SO important to me, especially when it comes to Type One because they are what make it so bearable. It is so nice to be able to pick up my phone and talk to someone who truly understands what I am going through. Whether it be my blood sugars were all over the place that day and I just feel terrible, or if someone said something ignorant to me and made me upset, or even if I’m just super tired of having to deal with it all the time I know they will be there for me to talk about it and make me feel better. These are the types of people who will be there through the good and the bad because they understand you and what you are going through completely. This disease would be so lonely without people like them and I am so blessed to have met so many diabetic friends and even friends who have done all they can to gain knowledge on the condition to become better friends with me. I am one of the many fortunate kids who get to attend Camp Kudzu- an overnight camp for Type One Diabetics like myself- each year. I have been attending this camp since I was eight years old, and this coming year will be my ninth and final year as a camper. My experience at Camp Kudzu was and still is life changing. For one week out of each year I can go and feel normal and do fun things all day long. It is an incredible feeling to check your blood sugar and feel completely normal because your other seven cabin mates are doing it as well. During circle time, you all get to express your struggles and frustrations while being encouraged and given advice instead of being pitied. You can tell stories about funny things you’ve done when your blood sugar was high or low and laugh until you can’t breathe anymore. I have met three of my best friends at that camp and we all talk almost daily. I would not be able to survive without them. There aren’t many people you can take matching CGM pictures with or change your pump sites together. It is so comforting to know that someone who knows exactly what you are going through is just one call away. But it’s not only the diabetic friends that are important, it’s the people who have taken their own time to learn about my disease who also make all the difference. My best friend since first grade’s mom instantly took it upon herself to learn about Type One Diabetes so I could come sleep over at her house with her daughter just like anyone else would. She would wake up multiple times during the night so my blood sugars would be good and so that I would be safe. Now, nine years later we are still best friends and she always asks, “Do you have your sugar tester?” and “Do you need me to go get you some sugar?”. It’s the little things that matter. It’s nice to know that someone is looking after you and making sure you’re alright. These people are the reason that I am so open about my Type One Diabetes and so accepting of and positive about it. It’s a totally normal thing with them and I am not ashamed of this disease at all. I have been so blessed to share this experience with such amazing people who I love more that words can say. I am so grateful for their friendship, and I know that these are friendships that will last me a lifetime.