Rachel and Ben, Wisconsin Photo: Joe Treleven

How has your brother or sister helped you with your diabetes?
"My daughter Rachel has just been diagnosed with type 1. I also have two sons who have diabetes. Since Rachel is just 6 and her brother Ben is almost 12, Ben helps with her shots. He has been doing shots since he was 4. It makes him feel pretty special to be able to help his little sister overcome the anxiety and fright of shots."

—Shirley Schweitzer, Wisconsin

"My sister has helped me with my diabetes so much. She is always there for me and knows what I am going through. Then again, she has diabetes, too. My name is Chloe and I have had diabetes since I was 13 months old. I am now 15 years old and am on an insulin pump. My sister and I are really close and whenever I get frustrated about my diabetes she is always there to listen to me. When I get sick she is always making sure that I keep testing my blood sugar and drinking so I can get better quicker. She even sat out of our national section swim meet because I couldn't swim because my blood sugar was too high. Zoe is not only my twin sister, she is my best friend!"

—Chloe


"My sister Tori holds my hand when I get my shots.  It makes me feel like it doesn't hurt so bad."

—Jamie