"Diabetes has a major effect on daily life if not properly looked after. The people most impacted are the sufferers."

Growing up with diabetes has been difficult for me watching other children eating sugary foods such as cakes and sweets without a care in the world for their health whereas for me I had to be a lot more careful. It felt like I had to grow up quicker than other children and take on health responsibilities. It has never had a major impact on me, although my control has never been perfect it has remained constant. However in the past year it has taken a turn for the worst. Halloween of 2006 I went into intensive care with severe ketoacidosis. It was down to a number of things. The main thing which had impacted me was that I had lost control of my eating and overate sugary foods collected from trick or treating. I also became depressed around this time due to trouble at school. My control has never really stabilized since, resulting in my constantly being in and out of hospital. This has caused major effects on my daily life. My mom always told me not to let diabetes take over my life but recently it has. I have been in and out of school missing out on valuable education.

I often wonder how and why I ended up with diabetes and have been upset over it constantly, but I know that it isn't anyone's fault and I try to keep on top of it despite the struggles and upset. It becomes very stressful and frustrating a lot of the time and I don't feel that there are enough resources available to young sufferers of diabetes. Diabetes is often frustrating and it makes me very angry inside which is then released towards the wrong people. I get so annoyed that I got it instead of someone else but I would advise any young person with diabetes to continue to keep control of their diabetes despite the complications. I would hate for anyone to get in the state that I was in due to going off track. It was painful, distressing and very scary. Diabetes is difficult but your control is important. Please don't let it take over you. You are in charge of it not it in charge of you. Diabetes needs more recognition in this country and especially for young people with the! condition. Thank you for taking your time to read this.