My brother was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 12 and I was 8. I will not lie and say that it didn't change our family life because it did, yet he is not a different person for having diabetes. Though, he may be more able to realise that life isn't always fair and that some people get better deals of life's cards than others. Before I carry on I had better inform you that my brother is a very sporty boy and does most sports that are available. As you know sport and exercise plays a role in the life of a diabetic so he was extremely lucky that he is a very sporty boy.

He was diagnosed before we broke up for Easter at school when I was in year four (a couple of days before) because he was sick and was not getting better. He drank a lot of water and went to the toilet a lot too! When we first found out about it we did not know very much about it so his paediatric diabetes nurse was very helpful and took a great deal of time explaining all about the condition. Being an 8 year old I sat in the corner and listened. I listened so hard that I realised that if I listened hard enough I could understand the condition as well as my parents so that I would always be there if he needed me. I knew I would never know the condition as well as him because if I believe anything its that nobody knows as much about diabetes than a diabetic. You can have the knowledge but knowledge is only half of it. You need to be able to feel it. The emotional and physical feelings to truly understand it. So in trying to learn as much about the condition as I could but I made one solid and unbreakable promise. I would always keep in mind one thing - diabetes does not make anyone a different person they are always the same as they ever were.

Even now when I am 11 I realise that people don't know about diabetes as much as I would like. At school one girl in my class' mother has it and her and I talked about it sometimes. Last year in fact, my science teacher asked us to do a presentation about anything to do with science. I chose diabetes because I wanted to teach people about it. I had a power point presentation to back me up and I brought in my brothers insulin pen, testing meter, strips and kit but I still noticed that a common misconception about diabetes is that you bring it upon yourself by eating too much chocolate or sweets.

At first it seemed different but then we all got used to it and he was on two injections a day. I suppose that I should also mention the fact that another joy of life for my brother is eating. He eats huge quantities yet remains very thin.

The worst Hypo that he has had was when he got too hot on a school trip and ate some soap. He was then put on four injections a day and that has helped a lot. When hearing stories about children finding it hard to come to terms with having diabetes I remember when the doctor told him and my mother that he had diabetes . He didn't cry or lash out or not talk at all he just smiled and nodded. He wasn't going to let it control him. He was going to be the one doing the controlling.

When we first found out (to wind back the clock) about diabetes we didn't know many people who had it. However a few weeks later, out of the blue people began to ring us up because their relatives had it. It was fantastic not only for my parents to learn more about the condition but also (because they were mainly parents ) my mum and dad learned how to come to terms with the condition. One time somebody came round our house to speak to us. She was an adult and had developed the condition from quite a young age. She was very understanding. One other thing that springs to mind was the time when the local hospital's dietician came to our house with a large mat which had a pie chart on it . My brother and I sorted the foods into different categories. It was great fun. It showed that people are there to support you and that you don't have to go it alone.

Another nugget of information - my brother has two ambitions in life. One serious and one dream come true. Surprisingly enough they both involve sport. The serious ambition is to become a P.E teacher. The dream come true ambition is to play for Arsenal football club. This in mind he was so very pleased when he found out that Sir Steve Redgrave - 5 times Olympic gold medallist rower had diabetes . It showed him that having diabetes couldn't stop you from doing what you want to do. In fact it made you slow down and think. The health risks to do with smoking and drinking alcohol are high without diabetes but with diabetes you could do yourself worse damage by doing too much of either.

At some point in our lives we all have to come to terms with the fact that we aren't all wrapped in cotton wool and that bad things happen. Yet - in my opinion - diabetes should not be classified as a "bad" thing. In saying that it should not be looked upon as something that is good. It should merely be something that happens to you. Something that in time might make you wiser ; or mentally stronger ;or maybe just shows you who you really are and helps to make you a better person. It makes no difference to your personality or outlook on life. A true friend knows who you are on the inside. That is something that will not change. On Dr Willem's website it says that the essay could be many things: fictional, narrative or discursive. I would like to say that my essay is none of the stated. It's just the truth.