During that time the Bethel Park High School junior has had to come to terms with a life-changing prognosis. While in the eighth grade, Braman was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes.

A music lover, Braman plays the guitar and dabbles in the keyboard. As a result, he has contemplated a Battle of the Bands fundraiser to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. It wasn't until just a few months ago, however, that he actually began organizing the event and signed up six bands, including: The Ragamuffins, Stoop Kid, Speaking Third Person, Eat the Government, Juniper Space Station, and Little Boy/Fat Man.

"It was a pretty daunting task, but I had a ton of help from family and friends," he said. "They were all incredibly supportive."

Braman's first venture proved to be a success with more than 250 people coming out to support their favorite band. Upon entering the auditorium at Bethel Park High School, attendees were given a voting ballot and the option to double their vote for an extra $1 charge. At the end of the night, after all votes were cast, The Ragamuffins were declared the winners with Stoop Kid taking second place. More importantly, $1,915 was raised for JDF through ticket sales, votes and donations.

If only the same could be said for the disease, which the 17-year-old must deal with daily.

"I've grown a lot from it (the disease)," said Braman, "but it was really a difficult thing to deal with."

According to healthline.com, juvenile diabetes, also known as Type I or insulin-dependent diabetes, is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. It is a lifelong disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to properly control blood sugar levels. Insulin is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy.

When not controlled, diabetes can result in heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease, nervous system disease, and amputation.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), 23.6 million children and adults in the U.S. have diabetes. Of these, only one in every 400 to 600 have Type I.

In order to survive, those with Type I diabetes must give themselves insulin. They monitor their blood sugar levels by pricking their finger multiple times each day.

When Braman was first diagnosed, he gave himself an insulin shot in his abdomen or hip practically every time he ate, and checked his blood sugar levels five-to-seven times each day.

"I did whatever I could to avoid giving myself shots and pricks," Braman said, explaining, "It really can flip a kids' life around. It requires unbelievable responsibility and maturity. For a lot of kids they have to grow up very quick."

Now, an insulin pump, inserted through a needle into his abdomen, makes life a little easier, and a little less painful. The pump provides an accurate and constant dose of insulin through its built-in computer, taking some of the guesswork out of controlling the disease.

Still it can be hard to stay disciplined and Braman admits that it's easy to slip into the habit of bad control.

An exchange with another student when Braman was first diagnosed sticks in his head to this day. "I was in homeroom and everyone was wondering where I had been because I was off for a week. This kid said to me, 'Nate, I heard you had diabetes. Doesn't that lower your life expectancy, like, 10 years?' I still can't believe he said that to me."

The key to staying healthy throughout life is to be vigilant and stay on top of the disease, said Braman, who plans to organize another Battle of the Bands fundraiser for JDF before heading off to college next year.

"You have to be responsible and keep everything in check. Diabetes is like a lot of things in life-whether you like it or not, you have to adjust and sooner or later it just fades into the background," Braman said. "You can't mess around with this disease. You always have to pay attention and check your sugars. But, if you stay in control you'll be fine."