Caroline, 12, acted fast when a coach from another school was having a diabetes reaction. Her story >

Being active can help you manage your diabetes if you learn to do it right. If you sign up for a team, you'll need to tell your coach you have diabetes, and your parents will need to tell the coach how to spot and deal with low blood sugar. You'll also want to have candy or juice on hand in case you have low blood sugar, and check your blood sugar before you start.

For really strenuous sports, like football, track, or hockey, you and your parents should talk to the doctor about adjusting your insulin dosage.

One of the most important things you can do is tell your parents when there's going to be a special event, like a field trip or a school assembly, says diabetes educator Jean Betschart. Events like these can delay lunch or keep you from getting your usual snack, which can set you up for low blood sugar.

The more involved you are with your own care, the more you'll feel in control of the situation. You can help make the rules rather than just follow them.