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Finding Your T1D Community

Aug 8, 2025 | Diabetes Community, Type 1 Diabetes

Finding Your T1D Community

A Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis can feel overwhelming, isolating, and frightening. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or years into your journey, one of the most powerful ways to navigate the ups and downs of diabetes is by finding a T1D community that understands exactly what you’re going through.

When I was diagnosed with diabetes, I didn’t know many other people who had it. I didn’t find my own T1D community until years after my diagnosis, but now that I have, I know first-hand how incredibly helpful it is to have connections with people who understand most of what you have been through and what you are experiencing on a daily basis.

T1D Community, Finding your t1D Community

DHF Community Event, June 2025

The Importance of a T1D Community

When you’re dealing with something as complex and relentless as T1D, knowledge and support are key. While your healthcare team plays a vital role in your physical care, a sense of community offers emotional support, practical tips, and an understanding of specific topics.

Here’s why connecting with others is so important:

Emotional validation: You don’t have to explain what a “high” or “low” feels like, or why carb counting is exhausting. People in the T1D community get it, no questions asked.
Shared experiences: From tech troubleshooting (such as continuous glucose monitor sensors failing or insulin pump issues) to navigating holidays, others can share what’s worked for them.
Motivation: Seeing others thrive with T1D can be deeply inspiring, especially on tough days.
Mental health: Social support can reduce diabetes distress and feelings of isolation.

How to Find a T1D Community

Fortunately, there are more ways than ever to connect with others living with T1D—whether you’re introverted or extroverted, prefer virtual or in-person, or live in a big city or rural area.

1. Online Communities

The internet has made it easier than ever to find your people. Below are a few online options that you can check out to connect with other people living with type one diabetes.

Attending Webinars: Information sessions about diabetes-specific topics (like these) are a great way to hear personal perspectives and connect with other people looking to learn about the same information.
Forums & Apps: Joining T1D-specific forums and apps can introduce you to many people living nationally and internationally with type one diabetes (e.g. Diabetes Hope Foundation T1D Campus Connect).
Instagram & TikTok: Many T1D influencers share daily life, tips, and encouragement. Look up hashtags like #T1D or #Type1Diabetes.
Facebook Groups: Search for terms like “Type 1 Diabetes Support” to find both global and local groups.
Reddit & Quora: Sometimes you can find helpful T1D subreddits that are helpful to unique experiences.

I recently co-hosted a webinar on Standardized Testing with T1D.

2. In-Person Support and Events

Face-to-face connection can be an incredibly powerful way to connect with others, especially when you have T1D. Even something as small as seeing someone else wear their diabetes tech lets you know that you’re part of a community, and it feels great not having to explain what your own tech is and what it does. Plus, it can be super beneficial to have a friend around that always has hypo snacks on them in case you forget to bring your own!

Sharing the burden is something that makes these friendships so meaningful, and it’s an added bonus that my T1D friends understand what it means when I’m having a low, along with how much time it takes to treat it. Completing these simple, everyday T1D tasks feels much less stressful when you’re surrounded by people who are familiar with doing the same in their daily lives.

Take a look at some of these ways to connect in-person with other T1Ds, and begin the journey in building your own community!

Local support groups: Check online to see what diabetes organizations are hosting events close to where you live, and bookmark their events calendars! If you live close to the GTA area, DHF often hosts in-person events. Follow them on Instagram for more details and to see if you’d like to join!
Community events: Many cities have T1D walks, fundraisers, and educational events you can attend. These are great places to meet others in a low-pressure environment. One of my first events where I met others my own age with T1D was at a local Diabetes Walk, and it was an amazing way to form new connections and learn more about having T1D.
Camps & retreats: Whether for kids, teens, or adults— diabetes camps and retreats offer bonding opportunities in a supportive setting. Look into nearby camps and see if you’d be eligible as a camper or camp counsellor!
Peer mentorship: Organizations like DHF offer Peer Mentorship Programs that connect you with another person who has similar interests and also has T1D. This is a great opportunity to have a meaningful connection with someone, and DHF’s program has fostered many long-lasting friendships between mentors and mentees! Some of our mentorship pairs even attend the same college or university, and are able to meet up on campus.

Community, T1D Community, diabetes community

DHF community members gather for a T1D card making workshop.

3. Professional Resources

Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs) often know about support groups or events in your area. If you’re having trouble finding any that are close to you, ask for help.

Next Steps

Finding community as a person living with type 1 diabetes is something that can make you feel supported, connected, and less alone. Whether you find a friend online who sends you memes about CGM alerts or you meet someone at a support group who becomes one of your best friends, community plays an important role in living well with diabetes.

So take that first step—join a group, attend an event, or send a message to someone to someone who is sharing about their T1D journey. Connection is out there, and it truly makes all the difference.

Follow DHF on Instagram for more T1D community support, resources and events.

About the Author

Hi everyone! My name’s Heather and I was diagnosed with type one diabetes in 2015. I’m a Program Facilitator for DHF and my work mainly focuses on the online supports we provide students across Canada. Currently, I’m a teacher candidate in Trent University’s Bachelor of Education program, and I also work for the university as part of their student staff. In my spare time, I teach music lessons to local youth and am passionate about participating in educational initiatives that support inclusive learning and students with disabilities.

Diabetes Hope Foundation (DHF) is a Canadian not-for-profit organization founded in 1999. The foundation’s mission is to provide education and resources to help youth with diabetes transition to a healthier tomorrow. Learn more about our youth programs and resources below.