The "Typical" life as a teenager

Welcome to our newest guest blogger, Phoenix, who is 15, from North Carolina.

Teenage years: The time when you begin to leave the pack and explore the social world for yourself. You either branch out in hopes of reaching everyone you meet, or stay close to a specific group, content with the way society treats you.

It's also a time when many disagree with parents, an arrogant side becoming more apparent in this phase with the belief of 'What doesn't kill me can only make me stronger' embedded into our minds. You would rather stay up late chatting with friends - and sometimes, even love relationships are increasingly prevalent around the teenage era of one's life - instead of doing chores and keeping your room from becoming an obstacle course.

For teenagers it's a roller coaster of ups and downs. Parents are in for the bumpy ride, as well.

As a teenager with Type I Diabetes, (yes, the Juvenile Onset Diabetes, I can't stand when people think I'm overweight after the word "diabetic" comes out of my mouth) there are a few more challenges to deal with on a daily basis than the typical teenage drama or social needs.

At times, there will be moments when I choose to hold off on a shot or two while in front of my friends, even if they accept it and ignore the slightly shaky feeling a little longer than recommended. Perhaps it's just to feel normal? Who knows.

But, the consequences can become rather severe in my case if I continue doing so. Though as I grow up, the tasks aren't as hard as it looked when I was four, and could no longer eat Skittles by the bag, or skip breakfast for more cartoon time.

It's not always a breeze being a teenager while making life-or-death choices every day, but don't get me wrong, it's livable. Like any other teenager with or without a condition, I simply want acceptance for who I am.

Even though it seems difficult, my peers look past my diabetes and appreciate me for my personality; everyone's implied desire. I'm a friendly person at heart and don't like getting off on the wrong foot, but there are those days.

So diabetic or not, I'm a teenager like the next one. I make mistakes, I do stupid things and act before I think, but tell me someone my age who hasn't done the same things?