My sister Ciara was diagnosed with diabetes on the 2nd of October 2003. Through the last 4 years she has coped with her disability extremely well. She has had great control over her blood sugars and insulin doses over that time, and has had no major problems. It appears to me that a day has not gone past when she has felt fed up and depressed about her illness and she has always had a very optimistic approach about her life and living with her diabetes. Many people might say that diabetes changes your life and the lives of the people around you but I disagree. My sister hasn't had to made any changes to the way she lives her life and seems to be extremely happy.

Even though my sister has had diabetes for the past 4 years I have never had to make changes to my lifestyle as we have always lived a healthy and balanced life. We still eat normal meals such as stew, spaghetti bolognaise, pasta, fish, meat and many other healthy living foods. Also we always keep chocolate in the house in case of hypos, and Ciara is still allowed to eat the same amount of sweets and chocolate. Except not over a short period of time, which is good for health reasons.

Many people class diabetes as being a disability but I strongly disagree. A disability stops you from taking part in day to day activities, and diabetes is certainly not that. My mum and dad treat me and my sister the same and give us equal opportunities in life, so to ensure that one of us does not feel left out or unhappy. And only 3 weeks after Ciara was diagnosed with diabetes we ascended up mount Snowdon. While Ciara was only 9, she walked to the ¾ point of Snowdon while I walked to the top. Since then, me and my sister have walked to the top of Snowdon and her blood sugars were well controlled the whole way. I believe this proves that living with diabetes doesn't stop you from doing day to day activities. And if you really want to do something, then you should just get up and do it. I also think that having diabetes brings balance into your life as it ensures you eat 3 balanced meals a day. It gets you into a routine of when you should snack during the day. And gets you into the frame of mind of undergoing the same routine every morning and afternoon.

My sister occasionally finds that she has either moved the needle whilst it has been inserted into her skin or she brings the needle out of the top of her bum to fast which causes slight bleeding or a small bruise. But really these problems are only very minor.

Diabetes hasn't changed the lives for me or the rest of my family. So I don't see why it should change the lives of others. Diabetes is for the long-term so you might as well just get on with life.