How to Support a Friend with T1D
If someone you care about lives with type 1 diabetes, chances are you’ve asked yourself: “How can I help?” or “What do they really need from me?”
It’s a great question—and the fact that you’re asking it already matters more than you know.
As someone who has lived with type 1 diabetes for most of my life, and as someone who now supports thousands of individuals and families through Touched by Type 1, I’ve seen firsthand how much of a difference the right kind of support can make.
So here’s what I want you to know: You don’t need to have all the answers, understand all the numbers, or fix anything. You just need to show up—with openness, patience, and a willingness to learn.
Here are some real, meaningful ways to support a friend with type 1 diabetes:
1. Learn the Basics—But Don’t Assume You Know Everything
A little knowledge goes a long way. Understanding what type 1 diabetes actually is (an autoimmune disease, not caused by diet or lifestyle) helps eliminate stigma. Learn the difference between type 1 and type 2. Know what a low or high blood sugar might look like. And if you’re not sure? It’s okay to ask.
But remember—your friend is still the expert on their own body and experience. Let them lead.
2. Don’t Police Their Food
One of the most frustrating things people with T1D hear is, “Can you eat that?” The truth is, yes—we can. We just have to account for it.
Instead of commenting on what they eat, respect their choices and trust that they know what they’re doing. If you’re planning meals together, a quick “Is there anything I can have on hand for you?” is thoughtful and appreciated.
3. Take Lows (and Highs) Seriously
Low blood sugar can be dangerous and feel urgent. If your friend tells you they’re low, pause what you’re doing, offer juice or glucose tablets if needed, and give them space to treat it. Don’t make them feel like they’re being dramatic or slowing things down—they’re managing a medical emergency in real time.
Highs can be exhausting too. It’s not “just a number”—it affects how they feel, think, and function. A little understanding goes a long way.
4. Normalize Diabetes Management in Public
Whether it’s injecting insulin, scanning a sensor, or treating a low in the middle of a conversation—it’s part of our life. And how you react sends a powerful message.
If your friend treats a high or low in front of you, don’t make a big deal of it. Don’t act uncomfortable or embarrassed. Support looks like normalizing it, not drawing attention to it.
5. Ask How You Can Support—Then Listen
Everyone with T1D manages things a little differently. What helps one person might not help another. So ask:
“What’s helpful for you when you’re low?”
“Is there anything I should know if we’re traveling or out together?”
“How do you like people to respond when something’s off?”
Asking shows care. Listening builds trust.
6. Be Patient on the Hard Days
T1D doesn’t just affect blood sugar—it affects mood, sleep, energy, emotions. There are days when your friend might be quiet, tired, or just not themselves. Don’t take it personally. Don’t try to fix it. Just be there, without judgment.
Support sometimes looks like sitting next to someone and saying, “I’m here. No pressure.”
7. Advocate When You Can
Whether it's correcting a myth someone repeats in a conversation, supporting T1D nonprofits, or showing up to an awareness event—your allyship matters.
You don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room, but when you use your voice for good, we notice.
Final Thoughts
Your friend with type 1 diabetes is carrying a lot—but they don’t want to be treated differently. They want to be seen, respected, and supported, without being singled out or pitied.
So keep showing up. Keep asking questions. Keep normalizing the realities of life with T1D.
Because the people who make us feel safe to be ourselves? They’re the ones who help us thrive—not just survive.
