Whilst it's easy to dwell upon the hardships of having diabetes, there's something extremely rewarding and fulfilling about embracing it as a challenge and a journey which will teach both you and others a great deal.

I was diagnosed at 7 and the most memorable part of that time was the excitement about all of these new gadgets and boxes of goodies coming on prescription for free! When speaking recently to my Mum, she mentioned that she and Dad worried to begin with, that I didn't understand that I'd have diabetes for my whole life. I was fully aware at the time, but I think from the word 'go', I set out to search for the positives involved with diabetes.

I've always been one to blend in with the crowd where diabetes is concerned. I'm actually finding it really strange writing the big 'D' word so many times in this essay because I've always avoided using it. It reminds me of the nicknames my family and I used to use when talking about it. It wasn't so much denying that I have it, but not wanting to use the term that was so often spoken of with negativity. You're most likely to be thinking that I'm completely ignoring the fact that diabetes IS an illness which comes with constant injections and a lot of other baggage which can really get you down. Of course I have days when I feel like it really isn't fair, but to think like that too often is to overlook some of the really special things about diabetes.

Having mentioned that there ARE wonderful things about this life-long condition, I will tell you what they are. Firstly I want to point out why those people around you can benefit from it. When I was diagnosed, my brother and sister were 9 and 11. Their continual kindness and support for me and their acceptance of the extra attention and help I would initially need, really does demonstrate both their developments as young children. My diagnosis helped to teach them about bravery and support and I really do believe that as a result, they are well-rounded individuals, always conscious of the needs of others. My friends too, now fully aware of the need to look out for others and in my case, recognise symptoms of a hypo. I think that by wanting to remain as 'normal' as possible after my diagnosis and by being reluctant to be open about diabetes, my friends had to work hard themselves to find out what it was all about and when I needed help. They've become so used to it, that now they often have to make me get some sugar if I don't recognise that I have a hypo!

Having diabetes has made me a stronger person. I look for the good in every situation and in a strange way understand more how lucky I am. If ever you need a 'pick-me-up', just consider illnesses that can't be controlled and that don't allow you to continue living a 'normal' life. For those of us who have diabetes, it helps us to appreciate all of the good things in our lives and to become stronger people. For those who don't have diabetes, seeing us dealing with it can show them great qualities of character and help them to value all of the good in their lives too.

I recently watched a short documentary about a young person who had high hopes of big achievements in their sport. They had been diagnosed with diabetes. The whole programme was very pessimistic and when this person didn't reach their sporting goals, the documentary suggested that the main reason for this was the recent diagnosis of diabetes. I understand that diabetes can have a big impact and take some getting used to, but it is documentaries like this that make living happily with diabetes seem unachievable. I wondered how someone would react if they'd seen that documentary and the next day been diagnosed with diabetes. I don't think they'd have had much hope for being able to enjoy what would still be a relatively 'normal' life.

For all of you out there who are down in the dumps with diabetes, try to put an optimistic spin on things. Wear a smile and say to yourself 'This is for a reason and I'll make the most of what I have.' Let's prove it can be done, to all those people out there, who for whatever reasons think that diabetes changes your life only for the worse.