I've had diabetes since i was 2, so I've never really known any different. I often felt like I'd missed something. I'm still not quite sure what!

Originally having 2 injections was very hard you have to eat certain amounts of food at every meal. That was very difficult and limited what i ate. However, it was all that i knew. I was always thinking when i next needed a blood test or injection. Having to have a snack at the same time every day caused problems as well. In school all my friends would want some of my biscuit, always thinking it was unfair i got to eat.

It wasn't fair though, if they knew it was more than eating when in class, they would think differently. Injecting was painful (-still is-) they thought it was fun and all wanted to be a diabetic, only so they could eat in class. I always found it hard to make friends, they all thought i was different, having diabetes and all. It didn't help that i moved schools after only staying at one for the infants. I felt very dejected. Leaving all the old friends i had and having to start a new. Having to explain what it all meat again to all the new, different people.

After 9 years of the same routine every day, i went on to a new régime. 3 injections a day. This gave me much more flexibility, although still quiet restricted. I was worried as it was something completely new. It was the nurses idea but i was willing to give it a go. I didn't have to snack as much throughout the day. That routine only lasted one year though.

I was scared but at the hospital i asked about going on to four injections a day. They had suggested it a few months earlier. I knew a few other young people with diabetes, who were on 4 injections a day and they all said it was great and was much easier. I was terrified to ask but I plucked up the courage and went on to 4 injections a day. This gave me a lot more flexibility. I felt a lot freer to do what i like when i like. I found that going on 4 injections a day was more relaxed, now i change the amount of insulin depending on the size of a meal. No longer snacking between meals. I feel that it was a brave move but for the best. My friends were no longer asking for food when i had to eat in class.

I love to travel so this new routine was much easier to do. When i went to Australia i thought my injections would be a nightmare. With a 9 hour time difference my injections would get muddled up a lot. But with advice from the hospital it was manageable. One thing i found is that on more active holidays i needed less insulin as i was using up more energy. I feel that diabetes has become a part of my life. I just have to accept it as it is a part of me that will never go away.