Type 1 isn't known as an adult disease. Until a few years ago, I didn't know anyone who called my diabetes Type 1 Diabetes. It was Juvenile Diabetes, Childhood Onset Diabetes... You get the gist. And when I was a child, I never thought about diabetes as something adults had in spite of the fact that I knew several Type 1 diabetic adults during my youth.

Anyhow, today, I was thinking, there should be some rules for being an adult with Type 1. Perhaps you'll think of some to add to the list I've come up with.

H is for How to be an adult with Type 1.

1. Test even though you're busy. Log even though you're busy. Bolus even though you're busy. Are you sensing a theme? As an adult, rule #1 is pay attention - even though you've got a lot of other things going on. It's a challenge, but diabetes needs to be a priority.

2. Type 1 diabetes does not (alas!) exempt you from insulin resistance. Have any of you ever heard of Double Diabetes? Yikes. This brings us back to rule one. Pay attention. Because exercise and a well-balanced diet are keys to keeping insulin resistance at bay and sparing yourself another, and considerably more difficult, issue. Rule number 2 is all about diet and exercise. Keep the sugar at bay as best you can and get some activity.

3. Don't sweat the small stuff. Don't get hung up on a couple of bad days. Don't let a line of low blood sugars or a few days of high blood sugars get you too off track. You'll need your energy to accomplish all of the things you have to do to follow rule number one - don't waste it on getting upset about crap you can't control or mistakes you've already made. In other words, don't cry over spilled milk.

4. Make ammends. With your syringes/insulin/pumps and other medications. Yes, they are a pain. Yes, they make your life challenging. But the stuff we use to keep diabetes in check and to keep our hearts and other parts healthy are indispensable. Be faithful to them.

5. Don't assume. When someone tells you "Oh, my grandmother has diabetes." Don't automatically assume what you think the person has assumed about you. After all, there are some grandmothers with Type 1. Don't fly off the handle thinking someone is comparing your diabetes to their grandmother's type 2. Which brings us to rule #6.

6. Ask questions. Understand others. Educate. If you think someone doesn't have a clear understanding of your diabetes, take a moment to figure out what they're misunderstanding and do your best to educate. You're doing everyone with diabetes a service - and you're doing the person receiving the information a service as well.

7. Don't throw stones. Don't think your diabetes is more difficult than another person's. Just because you have type 1 and someone else has type 2 or just because someone's A1C is lower than yours doesn't make their having diabetes any easier. We all have our burdens to bear. Be mindful of the burdens of others.

8. Don't be afraid to try new things. Oh, the world of diabetes care is filled with new things. Gadgets and machines and conveniences. If you have a chance to try them, don't let fear stand in your way. Experiment. You might find something that changes your life.

9. Find a support system. This life isn't easy and things can get tricky. Find others who might understand. Local hospital support groups, online message boards, camps for people with diabetes - they can all help. And - when you can - reach out to others and help them to know they're not alone.

Finally, rule #10...

10. Live. Do all of the things you dream of doing. Don't let diabetes stand in your way. Make adjustments - make do - but make THIS LIFE COUNT. After all, you only get one...

I hope you'll add some rules to the list. I've left some out on purpose, because I wanted to keep it to ten... So I know you'll have suggestions...