Yes, like the rest, diagnosis came as a huge surprise. A new life style, diet and routine needed to be put into practice. As I lay in bed (connected to various drips and tubes stabilising my sugars) I thought that life as I knew it was eminently going to change forever. Yes, in some ways I was right but in other ways no.

Nothing to do with my diabetes has been doom and gloom since. Obviously it wasn't easy going and I had the usual struggle to manage those hypos, hypers, injections, carbohydrates (the list is endless) but I look at it with a positive attitude and just take it in my stride. The saying 'Control your diabetes, don't let it control you' is a very useful one to adopt because many diabetics (especially new ones) think that it may hinder them in their lives and get worried. All you need to do is just a little extra planning, for example, if you are going on a long journey take an extra sandwich in case of delays. Many people lack confidence about their diabetes and as a result hide their diabetes away. Many are afraid to take control.

I was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 9. Like any new diabetic I was not confident about injecting in front of a lot of people seeing as I was just getting to grips with it. Mum and I went to talk to the teachers about eating in class etc and new changes they would have to make. I never liked all this attention and it made it worse when the school and teachers declared that I had to go out of class and to the medical room every time I wanted to test or do my injection. It made me feel different and I didn't like it. Diabetes should not make you feel singled out or different from anyone else. On top of all of that I was missing a lot of lessons and I would miss important snippets of information. Apparently this has happened to many diabetics. After around a year this got sorted out. I am confident with my diabetes now and am happy just to sit down and inject at the table at school or out with my friends. We talk about racial discrimination, but what about diabetes discrimination? How does being singled out make people feel? Most of the time people are trying to be kind, but a lot of the time they can make you feel worse. You have to be proud to be diabetic and tell people how YOU want to do it! You are the diabetic so be your own expert. Remember you know more than anyone else so don't be afraid to stand up for yourself and tell them to do it THE DIABETIC WAY!!!