Hi, my name is Rufus, I am a diabetic teddy. I came to live with my new diabetic friend, David, in August last year. David was told he had diabetes in June after his mum took him to the doctors. His mum thought David had a water infection because he had been going to the toilet a lot at school. The doctor tested his wee and his blood and said he thought he had diabetes. He then sent David to the hospital. His mum and his dad went with him and he had some tests done. David spent the night in hospital and his mum was allowed to stay with him. David didn't really like it too much and wanted to go home. The nurses and doctors were kind and helpful to David and showed him and his parents how to inject himself and to test his blood sugars. David was allowed home from hospital when the nurses had seen his mum and dad inject his leg. David was scared to see his mum and dad injecting him. His favourite nurse was called Sheila and she was David's very own diabetic nurse. Sheila gave David's mum and dad her phone number just in case they needed her and she came to visit him at home a lot.

I arrived in the post just after David had come back from his holidays in Cyprus. He told me he had had a great time. It was his first holiday with diabetes and his mum was dreading it but even she had enjoyed it. David has a big brother called Peter, he loves David so much and I can tell he worries about him a lot. The whole family has had to get used to David having diabetes, not just David. At first it was very hard for them, there were a few tears, and one day David even wanted to leave home. He thought his family would be happier without him. But they got used to it. The only thing at the moment that upsets David is when he has to have an extra injection at bedtime because his bloods are too high.

David's friends at school are really helpful especially his best friend Harry. David used to sleep a lot at Harry's house but his Mum and Harry's mum are very nervous about it now. Harry's mum is getting better but David's mum is still very nervous and doesn't sleep very much when David goes there. Harry comes and sleeps with us as well.

David used to get about 12 Easter eggs from his family and friends but this year he got two and one was a special diabetic chocolate one. The rest of his family gave him money instead so he bought some Lego. He was happy about this.

David thinks I am cute and cuddly and I went everywhere with him at first. We get on really well. David takes me to school on Fridays and I join in with first aid club. I have even been to school on teddy bear day. I was so proud when one of the teachers told David that I was a very special bear. David can join in with everything just like before. He is even going to France with school for 5 days, I HOPE HE IS GOING TO TAKE ME WITH HIM.