My name is Charlotte Milne, I'm seventeen and at the moment I am working towards my AS Levels in biology, sociology, psychology and maths. I enjoy singing and have achieved grade 5 in this as well as performed a solo in a local informal concert. I like trying new things and love to shop with my friends on a regular basis!! I have had diabetes for about 3 years and a half, when I was first diagnosed I wasn't scared and I suppose handled the fact I had diabetes really well, this could have of course been because of my previous medical and hospital experiences which took up a huge part of my childhood. My diabetes was out of control for about a year after being diagnosed, I had tried all types of insulin regimes yet my blood sugars ranged from three to thirty nearly every day. I was being sent home from school practically every day, had ketones continuously and would feel separated from my friends a lot. This of course didn't help with the demanding workload at GCSE. I would often cry a lot in my room as I felt so isolated and alone from everyone not only because I couldn't see my friends as much as I'd like but because I felt as if I had no one to talk to who was in my same situation. I didn't so much mind the fact I had diabetes it was the missing school continuously and having out of control blood sugars which after a while can make you feel drained of energy. I then had the great opportunity of being allowed an insulin pump; it has improved my blood sugars by miles, although they still can range up to twenty on the odd occasion. At the end of GCSE I achieved passes in all my subjects which were at least Cs or above!! During Summer 06 I had the privilege of being accepted to go on a diabetic trip to Osmington Bay in Dorset, we stayed in chalets shared between four of us and took part in various challenging and fun activities! I made heaps of friends who I'm still in contact with as well as having met up with one of them recently at the theme park Thorpe Park! The trip had taught me how to be more independent with my diabetes and gave me a huge confidence boost as I felt that after all I wasn't so alone.

My friends are a great help with my diabetes, one of them even helps with my blood testing and used to help when I had injections. Although sometimes they don't quite understand the limitations that come with diabetes! Soon I will be doing my silver D of E which I know will be slightly embarrassing having my friends being taught what to do in the case of a severe hypo. But I'm defiantly looking forward to the trip. I do get angry with my diabetes nurse and my mum on the odd occasion, I feel as if they don't have to live it so how would they know how it feels and what I have to go through. However, at the end of the day I can always see that what they do is for the best.

At the present, I do sometimes still feel slightly depressed about my diabetes and other medical issues, especially with the added high demands of my studies. I expect in the future, now and then I will feel like that but all I have to do is remember all the positive things in my life, I have enjoyment in my singing, have good times with friends and family so overall I am happy with life.