I have had Type 1 Diabetes since I was 6 years old. I didn't really mind having all the injections as I knew it was going to be a part of me for the rest of my life. It didn't take long till I was able to do all my own blood testing and injections; this was partly because of the help and support I gained from my family and Diabetes team.

One year later I was diagnosed with Coeliac Disease (Gluten free diet). This made everything twice as bad. Yet again I pulled through and kept on smiling and doing everything as normal.

If I didn't have Diabetes then I wouldn't be the person I am today. I wouldn't understand the way people feel with disabilities. I know you can't really call Diabetes a disability because in the end we can still walk and talk and ride a bike, the only thing we all have to do is inject insulin a few times a day and test our blood sugar. That's nothing to moan about compared to some people!

Over the years I have had a few knock backs due to my Diabetes, but it has never stopped me doing anything, up till now. As I am about to leave school and make my mind up about where I want to go in life I thought about joining the Army. I am already a Lance Corporal in the Army Cadets and I really enjoy getting down and dirty and to be honest you totally forget you're a Diabetic which is nice while it lasts! Unfortunately due to my Diabetes I can't join the regular army. That put me down as I would have really enjoyed the challenges.

As I was sat on my bed crying on my Mums shoulder I remembered what my Diabetic Nurse had told me, 'Never let Diabetes get you down'. That made me smile and lift my head up high and be proud to have Diabetes. That day also made me realise what I wanted to do as a career; I want to be a nurse because if I can give back to other children what that Nurse gave to me then that would be better than any job in the army.