Seventh February 2001. The date my life changed forever. I was six years old and I was staying at my granny's house for the day. I was happy enough sitting with my granny watching Tom and Jerry, which at the time was my favorite television show. We were laughing at how Jerry would pull the silliest but funniest pranks on the never suspecting Tom, and his reactions of course. We were content sitting there, until I got thirsty.
Thirst is one of the many different symptoms of diabetes and one of the most common also. "Granny I want some lemonade, please," I said. It would have been my seventh glass in an hour. "Emma, have you not had enough? You had a glass only ten minutes ago!" my granny complained. Not knowing the real cause of my never ending thirst.
"No Granny. I'm thirsty!" I complained again.
"Right well this is your last one!" she said, "I don't want your mother shouting at me for rotting your teeth!" she said laughing.
"Okay Granny," I said, "I'll keep it a secret, promise," I said putting my finger on my lips. Another ten minutes later I had finished my glass of lemonade and needed to go to the toilet, as soon as I drank anything it would flush right out of my system. Looking back I realize how annoying that must've been, not to me, but to my parents and the rest of my family. It was such an inconvenience all the time. I was washing my hands in the downstairs cloakroom and my Granny was still in the living room watching the television. Although I was very young I still remember being really thirsty again and remembering what my Granny had said about my last glass of juice. I snuck into the kitchen and took a long swig straight from the bottle, so my Granny wouldn't hear me clattering the glasses.
When my Mum came to pick me up I heard her talking to my Granny, about my fluids. At the time I didn't understand. But on the way home I was complaining again about my thirst. We were nearly home and my Mum told me I would have to wait, I burst into tears. My temper was very short fused at the time. Another symptom of high blood sugar levels. That night I was taken to see my GP to find out what was wrong. They took my blood sugars and then left my Mum and myself sitting in the waiting room for the results.
"Emma X," the doctor called.
"That's us Em, come on," my Mum said, taking me by the hand.
"Mrs. Malcomson. Take a seat," the doctor said, gesturing to the seats with his hand. "Now this is very serious. I want you to go home straight away, pack an overnight back and head up to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald I'm referring Emma there as we speak," he said. Tapping the keys on his computer keyboard as he spoke. "She could be there for quite a while," he said, turning round in his seat to look at us. "This is very serious," he repeated. "I'll ring Maynard children's ward now and tell them I'm sending you up, okay?" he asked.
"Yes Doctor," my Mother said. Then we got up and left not even waiting to hear what was wrong.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH," I screamed. We were in the hospital and I was having a blood test, they were taking the blood from the back of my hand, and trying to distract me with "Where's Wally?" books and shiny toys and talking toys and drawings. But it wouldn't work, nothing worked. All I cared about was the pain burning in my hand. I was a type one diabetic.
I stayed in the hospital for one week exactly, until I was released, with insulin pens, B.M. machines and blood monitoring diaries. I was only six years old and didn't understand what was going on. I felt special when I was in hospital, everyone gave me cards and visited me and told me how brave I was. The hospital staffs were all really friendly and supportive and still are to this day.
School was awkward at first with everyone staring at me and thinking I was so much different to Emma but I was still Emma and soon everyone realized there was nothing different about me. My life carried on as normal.

Today
Today I was up at the hospital for a check-up when I saw an advertisement for a diabetes essay competition. I jumped at the chance. Being a diabetic now is part of who I am. I don't care what anybody else thinks anymore, they can think what they want. Those closest to me know how to deal with everything and they don't care. Diabetes doesn't make me any different as a person, prior to what some people think.
At first it was hard and I think it would be harder for someone my age now to be diagnosed and have to change part of their lifestyle.
Sometimes I do break down, because it doesn't seem fair. Out of hundreds and hundreds of people I was the one diagnosed with this life long condition. It gets harder when you're older to come to terms with. But if you learn to accept it life will be a lot easier. Some people fight against it and just carry on as normal as if they aren't any different. As a person you aren't but in medical terms you are because Diabetes is a serious condition that needs to be kept under control and there are consequences to pay if you don't.
You may actually like some of the attention you get, we can get special jewelry and bags etc. We have our own camp in the summer which is really fun! There are lots and lots of opportunities to play your role in supporting Diabetes UK a company created especially for us. We have our own magazine, special events, sweets and chocolates. There are many advantages. A lot of people only focus on the negativity in diabetes but it's not all about that. As a Diabetic I sometimes find it personally insulting when you read some of the things written about our condition. I was able to come to terms with it and although at times I do break down and I do lose it there is a lot of support available. You can take courses in learning how to manage your diet. Eat anything but learn how to do it right! Diabetes isn't a curse, as I used to regard it, I thought my bad luck and finally come to get me when I was first diagnosed but now I realize my luck had finally turned around when I was diagnosed. With Diabetes.

If this story would be a convenience to anybody it would really make me happy. To talk to others about how it feels would be an absolute delight so please contact me if there are others who need help.

Thank-you.