To look at a diabetic you would assume that there was nothing 'wrong' with them. However it is quite clear, once you get to know them, that diabetics are far from ordinary.

I have been a type 1 diabetic for approximately 5 years. Don't get me wrong, being a diabetic has it's upsides but I have often pondered the annoying extent to which the downsides truly go. I am 13 years old and am in year 8. I often have to come out of my lessons because of my low blood glucose levels but that doesn't bother me much. After all who would be bothered about swapping an hour long French lesson with a cosy chat in the office accompanied by the compulsory orange nectar (orange lucozade) and the ingenious wheat treatment for lows(digestive biscuits.) I certainly don't have any complaints!

The day I was diagnosed is still a crystal clear memory of mine. I had suffered a dramatic weight loss of half a stone in three days and I'd shrivelled up like a prune. I was drinking water like it was going out of fashion and I felt as though I was almost incapacitated because I was so weak. So after a few weeks of silently suffering my mother and father took me to EMDOC. I waited for about 45 minutes and it only took the doctor 3 or 4 minutes to convince herself that I was diabetic. My blood was taken for tests, I was put on an IV and then onto a bed ready to be whisked off to the paediatrics ward. I had never heard of diabetes before and was blissfully unaware of the effect that the condition would later have on my life. When my blood glucose level came back the doctors were baffled as to how I had managed to survive. It was 54.6!!! Doctors informed my parents that there would have been no point in coming in tomorrow because I would have been dead. The possible outcome doesn't even bear thinking about. I had regular bouts of tonsillitis for a year or so before my diagnoses and it is thought that my antibodies actually destroyed the stem cells on my pancreas thus causing my diabetes. It's interesting because I learn something new about my diabetes every day. It's never boring!

But onto a cheerier subject now. Friends reactions! I am very lucky to have such supportive friends. In fact one of my close friends has a brother with diabetes which gives her an even greater understanding of the condition. My friends always want me to test their blood and watch me do my insulin and some of them have known me for over 4 years and they're still interested! Unfortunately the details of diabetes are not well known amongst most people and this can cause confusion for them. For example I was asked by an adult the other day how long I had had diabetes, to which I replied "Six years." The lady looked a little taken back and after a few moment of stuttering she answered "Well if you've had it for six years then why isn't it under control yet?" To which I responded with an uncontrollable chuckle "It's not that simple." You see although I knew that this lady was only showing an interest it just proves how uneducated the British people tend to be. My diabetes will never be 100% under control but as every other diabetic will tell you striving for perfection is the best that you can ever do.

It's interesting actually how as soon as I form an opinion about ways to improve or differ my diabetic routine someone somewhere decides that I am nothing more than a child that has the intellect and medical understanding of a peanut. WRONG! Just because I'm a teenager it does not mean that I am stupid it just means that I have different views on the world and it problems. I'm no saint. I'll admit to sneaking the odd chocolate bar or swig of sugary drink but to be honest it's quite a cheap thrill!

Why do siblings have to make everything sooooo unfair? My brother is skinny as a rake and even though he eats junk food all day and night he has no dental or medical issues but I seem to get everything going. My brother and I get on very well which is astonishing in my opinion but he always looks after me. If I fit then he helps to resuscitate me but he wont come within 10feet of me if I have a needle in my hands! Although I find this a common reaction. I'm often asked how I can inject myself day in and day out but to be honest you just get used to it. Having said that though, my mum injected me with her eyes shut for the first year and a half! How she didn't stab me in the face or something I'll never know!

I constantly think about what I would do if I was offered a cure for my diabetes. I can not even begin to image life without diabetes but if given the chance then I probably wouldn't take it. Diabetes is a constant thing in my life. I guess it's psychological but diabetes is something that no matter what happens is always there and it's also a brilliant conversation starter!!!

So there you have it, my ramblings on living with an incurable condition. Basically it sucks but making the best of it is all we can ever hope to do and thanks to the brilliance of the doctors and support of family, friends and hospital staff coping is made a whole lot easier. So even if I don't win anything I would like to say thank you to everyone who helps me through the difficult areas of my diabetic life because I can never express to you how truly grateful I am for all of your help.