Right now, Marlee's mom acts as Marlee's "insulin pump," but they may decide to try an actual pump someday.

Kid-friendly fashion: Marlee has a rubber wrap on her meter and a matching diabetes bracelet, to stay fashionably accessorized.

School plan: Marlee's teachers and school administrators all took diabetes classes at the local hospital. And even though Marlee doesn't want the other kids to see her as different, her mom was able to come in and teach her classmates about diabetes with the help of Rufus, the diabetic bear.

Personal glossary: Marlee calls her testing sites "polka dots," and her lancet device the "poker." Marlee also has days “off” when her parents take over self-care so she doesn't have to think about it.

How her family makes diabetes a priority: Marlee's mom stays up to date on developments in diabetes treatments and tracks her daughter's tests, meals, and more on a color-coded chart. Marlee's mom also raises money for diabetes research, including through her own line of Valentine's Day cards.