My name is "Jamie Ivory", I am 14 years old, a type 1 Diabetic and have been now for almost 10 years. I feel diabetes isn't a disadvantage to me - but an advantage to my body and its health. This is because the sugary foods and drinks consumed by people without diabetes can be damaging to the body and can result in bad health.

Being a diabetic doesn't mean you have to cut out your favourite foods completely, but means you may have to slightly cut down on how much of it you eat. This then results in you looking forward to eating your favourite foods more than you used to.

As a result of good control, I have been able to continue playing my everyday hobbies such as football, cricket and golf. I think that you should be in control of your diabetes, not your diabetes being in control of you. If you control your diabetes, and are sensible, it really should have no major impact on your life.

I would advise newly diagnosed diabetics not to feel anxious or worried about diabetes, but to carry on living your everyday life to its potential. People really should not feel different or out of place by having diabetes, but should stand up and not be afraid to say:

"I HAVE DIABETES".