My name is Peter. I am 12 years old. I am not diabetic but my brother, David is. David is 10 now and he was 9 when he was diagnosed. Not long before he was diagnosed my Great-Granddad, also diabetic had sadly passed away.

David had been going to the toilet a lot and had been quite thirsty. One day his teacher told my mum that David had been to the toilet loads and that she thought he may have a water infection. Straight away my mum took him to see the doctor and they checked him over. His blood was 25.2. The doctor told him he would have to go to hospital because he had diabetes.

I was happily playing on my play station when they came back and my mum said to David "Right then pack up". I jumped up to see what was going on but before I could say anything David ran upstairs. I asked him what was the matter. He replied joyfully "I'm diabetic". I slumped down in the corner and held the tears back for David. He did not know what it meant.

I slept at my Nanas that night, I quickly dropped off to sleep. The next day I didn't go to school as I went to visit him in hospital. They told me he had to have an injection and I couldn't believe it. They said he might be a bit moody but you can't get moodier than he already was. Ha ha.

When he came home everything was alright. Until his school presentation night. He is very sporty and got a gym and football award. He is also clever and came 4th in his exams despite having time off whilst in hospital. I was really proud for him. When they sung edelweiss he fainted on the stage. My mum ran to the stage faster then Kelly Holmes. I couldn't hold the tears back this time. I slept next door that night, well I didn't sleep. The next day was a school trip that was really fun but all I could think about was David in hospital again.

When we went on holiday to Cyprus we were fine. We were all worried for him but we had an ace time. He did normal things and ate a load of chocolate cake. But the best bit was seeing him happy. We got back and Rufus the Diabetic Teddy was waiting for us. David always hugs him when he's feeling sad and he goes to first aid club with David every Friday. Rufus is great.

We didn't go trick or treating last year but we went to a great party and David had pop and crisps the same as everyone else.

Christmas was good, his blood was up and down like a yo-yo especially at his Christmas concert. It was great to watch and despite being nervous and high he had loads of fun. He enjoyed Christmas, we got a Nintendo wii which sometimes makes his blood go mad. Also he does ballet so he has to make sure he keeps his bloods just right. He enjoys it and has just taken his grade 3 exam.

Easter is fun as we speak he got a diabetic Easter egg and also we have found a sugar free sweet shop so Easter has been good.

Through our first year as a family coping with diabetes in the house our nurse Sheila has been phenomenal. I don't know what we would do without her.

We still fight and get on our mum and dads nerves but he is still my brother and I really really really love him.