Just Like You – Diabetes is an award-winning short documentary that offers an intimate look into the daily lives of four children living with Type 1 diabetes, alongside their closest friends and supporters.
Through honest, age-appropriate storytelling, the film explores what it feels like to manage blood sugar checks, insulin injections, food decisions, and the constant vigilance diabetes requires—while also highlighting humor, resilience, friendship, and normal childhood moments. By centering the voices of children themselves, the film helps viewers understand that diabetes is part of life, but not the definition of who these kids are.
Sierra Adams, Jack Bichelmeyer, Garrett Brown, and Grace Chisholm share their personal experiences navigating school, sports, sleepovers, and social situations with diabetes, supported by their friends Zenia Amrolia, Peter McLiney, Kirby Motsinger, and Jake Smith. Their relationships illustrate how understanding and inclusion grow through honesty, trust, and shared experience.
With insight from diabetes advocate and former Miss America Nicole Johnson, JDRF National Director, and Baseball Hall of Famer George Brett, the film provides context and education while keeping the focus where it belongs: on real kids living real lives. Their perspectives help demystify Type 1 diabetes and reinforce the importance of community support.
The film helps viewers better understand diabetes in everyday settings such as school, home, athletics, and social environments. It is designed to reduce fear, build empathy, and create space for more informed and compassionate conversations among peers, educators, healthcare providers, and families.
What began as a single film quickly demonstrated its impact. As the tenth film produced by Just Like You Films, Just Like You – Diabetes has been used widely as an educational and empathy-building tool, supporting global efforts—alongside partners like JDRF—to foster understanding and acceptance through storytelling.
WHO IS THIS FILM FOR
This film is often used by:
• Educators supporting students with chronic health conditions
• Families navigating Type 1 diabetes and peer relationships
• Healthcare providers engaged in patient and family education
• Workplace and community groups building empathy and awareness
INTERESTED IN GOING FURTHER?
Many viewers want to do more after watching—whether that’s starting a conversation, supporting a child or family, or bringing this story into a classroom, workplace, healthcare system, or nonprofit setting.
The Empathy Engine™, created by Just Like You Films, builds on films like this by pairing storytelling with guided conversation and action. It is designed for group experiences that help people move from understanding to meaningful change.
If you’re interested in using this film in a group or organizational setting, we’d love to connect.
Learn more about the Empathy Engine™ →
COPYRIGHT AND USAGE NOTICE
© Just Like You Films. All rights reserved.
This film is licensed for individual, personal viewing only.
Public screenings, classroom use, workplace showings, community events, or any form of group viewing are not permitted under this license.
For educational, organizational, or institutional use—including screenings, facilitated discussions, or extended access—please contact Just Like You Films directly.