Victoria is 14 years old and is currently in 8th grade. She lives in Oregon with her family. She was diagnosed with diabetes just over five years ago and uses Lantus and Novolog. Some of you may known Victoria as Sofbalplayer33 on the Diabetes Teen Talk message board. Victoria is a Christian and her hobbies are softball and basketball. Victoria says, "It took me a while to learn to give myself a shot but I thought I was cool because I was different."

   Caroline is 14 years old and lives in Connecticut. She has had diabetes for 5 years and currently wears a Medtronic Minimed insulin pump. Some of you may know her as Field_Hockey_Goalie4Life on the Diabetes Teen Talk message board, where she serves as Assistant Moderator for three forums. Caroline loves sports, especially field hockey, basketball and softball, and she also enjoys singing, acting and music. Caroline says, "I have had a few encounters with people who didn't want to hang out with me or be around me after they found out. One was this guy that I really, really liked, and I realized that if they care that much, and can't accept me for who I am, then they're not worth it."

   Whitney is 13 years old and lives in Colorado. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes on April 22, 2005 and she wears an insulin pump. Whitney is very artistic and likes to paint and act (she might even be an actress someday!). She also likes singing, horses and swimming. Whitney is very active on the message board, so stop by and say hi! While you're there, you can ask her about the insulin pump. Whitney says, "I am on an insulin pump and I LOVE it! I get to eat whenever I want, and my blood sugars are almost perfect!"

   Kate is 14 years old and lives in Ireland. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes on October 4, 2005 and recently went on the Medtronic Minimed 515 insulin pump. She loves to hang out with her friends, do karate and go swimming. She loves Bette Midler and her favorite movie is Beaches. Kate is very active on the message board, so go say hi! Kate thinks the forum is great for helping teens because, "If you have one bad day, you can get so low in yourself, and it could last for days or weeks, and its so great to talk to someone who knows what you're talking about in a regular basis!"

   Faith is a 16 years old and lives in Michigan with her family. She has had Type 1 diabetes for 4 years and has worn an insulin pump for 3 ½ years. Faith is a junior in high school and she enjoys music, swimming, hanging with her friends. She is also very active in her church youth group. When she grows up, Faith would like to be either a nurse or a diabetes educator. Faith says, "If your friends or others can't accept you for who you are, they aren't truly your friends."

   Brynn is 21-years-old and lives in Denton, Texas. She was diagnosed with diabetes on November 1, 2001. She wears a Deltec Cozmo insulin pump. She is currently learning to become a teacher for deaf students and she works at a diabetes camp during the summer. Brynn says, "I don't allow my diabetes to interfere with those activities by keeping up with it and managing it before I go and do those activities."

   Amanda is 16 years old and lives in Shakopee, Minnesota. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in June 2003 and she wears a Deltec Cozmo insulin pump. Amanda works at Target and likes to play soccer and hang out with her friends. Amanda says, "I realized that I got diabetes by chance and that if anyone could get through diabetes it would be me, I'm a strong willed person, I know that one day there will be a cure. Whether it be next week or next century there will be one and you just gotta remember to think positive."

Mollie is 16 years old and lives in Las Vegas, Nevada withher parents and her fraternal twin sister, Jackie. Mollie has had diabetes since she was 4 years old, but Jackie does not. Mollie loves singing, taking pictures, hanging out with her sister and her friends, and traveling to New York City, Nashville and Texas. Mollie also plays the guitar. Mollie says, "Being a diabetic has made me more compassionate and understanding of other people and their difficulties, has allowed me to meet people and make friends around the world, and has given me an inner strength that I think only comes from being constantly challenged.

  Jenny is 17 and lives in San Diego, CA. She enjoys soccer, basketball, surfing and web design. She enjoys hanging out with her friends and attending CWD conferences. Jenny says, "It's just good to know that whenever you're down there's someone out there who knows what you're going through."