It was Christmas day 2006 when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The days leading up to Christmas had been quite hectic, and I had been feeling ill, really thirsty with tummy aches and frequently going to the toilet. I was getting up loads in the night for a glass of fresh water and I was constantly drinking all day but not eating that much.

Finally on Christmas night my Mum and Dad took me to hospital at about 11.00pm, it was all quite rushed and by the time we got there I was feeling fine, we all thought it was a false alarm.

I had never heard of diabetes before and lying in a hospital bed I felt confused because what the Doctor said sounded like 'gobbled degook'. I had a mixture of emotions confused, worried and nervous about what was to come.

I remember feeling really scared about doing my first injection. I found it hard to focus on the instructions from the nurse, who was showing me and my parents how to give an injection, do blood tests, record readings and all this information, it seemed too much! I didn't know anything about hypos or highs and I didn't know what to expect when I felt one. The nurse explained lots of things, when I first heard the information I didn't really take it in because it all seemed so complicated. Gradually, over the weeks and months, it made more sense.

The first night when I came home from hospital after I was diagnosed, I felt it was so unfair that it was me who had diabetes and not someone else. But now it's just a normal routine that other children, also my age, have to cope with also.

It was scary going back to the local hospital again after Christmas to see the consultant, but it wasn't all that bad. We talked to a dietician and other people who offered trusty advice. I still feel anxious when I go back to hospital for appointments; the feeling never goes away completely. The regular check ups seem to take ages, lots of waiting around.

I have learnt from my mistakes - about what food to avoid and how much insulin to take. I carbohydrate count now, which makes me feel free and happy, I inject Nova Rapid 3 times a day with my meals which gives me freedom (you just adjust how much insulin you take by what food you eat) and another injection of Levemir at bedtime to last me through the night.

I like walking my dog Jack, cycling, nature and the outdoors, so I always have to take glucose tablets and quick-working snacks with me where ever I go in case I get low.

When I feel low I start shaking, my eyes start feeling heavy with tiredness, and I start to feel ravenously hungry. The strange thing is I don't get any symptoms of feeling high. I have gone through ups and downs with my blood glucose levels but now they are level, between 5-9.

I am not scared of diabetes anymore and I have grown more confident. I have had diabetes for over a year now and I inject quickly and fluently. I use to get my Mum and Dad to give me my injections and I would get quite upset. I'm sure everyone with diabetes who is my age, feels like that in the beginning.

I have lots of people to thank for helping me grow more confident including my family, friends: Georgia, Eve, Charlotte, and especially my teacher Mrs O`Grady (in fact I'm thankful to my whole class!). My friends come with me to support me when I'm doing my injections and my teacher has been helpful and understanding, I have a lot to be thankful for!