People like me
Your diabetes stories
When you have diabetes, it can feel like no-one really understands. But, as corny as it might sound, you're not alone.
This section is full of young people who, just like you, have their own unique diabetes story.
Diabetes – day to day
It might be how they dealt with diagnosis and daily life with the condition. Some have tips on how to deal with the people around you who maybe don't understand what you're going through.
Don't let diabetes get in the way
Some have inspirational stories of how diabetes hasn't stopped them becoming exactly what they want to be – including pop stars, actors and sportspeople.
What they all share is that they know what it's like to have diabetes at your age. We'd welcome your comments on their stories – and we'd love to hear your diabetes story too.
You can see plenty of examples below and we also have a Stories in brief page with even more.
Lauren's story
Keep doing what you love and live your own life!
Lauren's story
Becky's story
Diabetes hasn't stopped my me riding my horse!
Becky's story
Caitlyn's story
Ten years down the track – struggling, but pushing through.
Caitlyn's story
Cliodhna's story
Despite the exhaustion, I managed to finish the race...
Clíodhna's story
Gwen's story
Diagnosed at 11 months old – thanks to my Aunt's blood glucose meter!
Gwen's story
Bethany's story
I've had the best support ever – my identical twin sister!
Bethany's story
Emma C's story
I made a list of all the pros and cons of being diabetic. It really helped!
Emma C's story
Gina's story
Friday the thirteenth - unlucky for some!
Gina's story
Ellie's story
I was so tired, I thought I had mild narcolepsy!
Ellie's story
Almaz's story
There was a lot to learn – but college helped.
Almaz's story
Gabrielle's story
Secretly I loved knowing I was unique and could handle these incidents myself.
Gabrielle's story
Sophie's story
Sophie was diagnosed with diabetes at 23 months.
Sophie's story
Charlotte's story
Charlotte's written a great poem, all about her diabetes!
Charlotte's story
Lydia's story
It all started on a coach trip to London...
Lydia's story
Chloe's story
I thought I had a stomach infection, but I was wrong.
Chloe's story
Rebecca's story
Rebecca, 12, is part of the dance crew Masters of Motion.
Rebecca's story
Diana's story
13-year-old Diana recalls how she was admitted to hospital with DKA on a trip to France.
Diana's story
Vivien's story
"My mouth was so dry, I could barely move my tongue!"
Vivien's story
Sammii's story
"I got the opportunity to go on the trip of a lifetime to Madagascar, but if I kept messing around with my diabetes I wouldn't be able to go."
Sammii's story
Anna's story
"After I was doing so well, why did I end up here? I nearly gave up on my diabetes after that. My parents tried to help but I knew it was up to me."
Anna's story
Steffani's story
"A few years ago I had a bad hypo and went unconscious and got sent to hospital. I was in a coma for a few days."
Steffani's story
Katie's story
"I feel that I can't live with diabetes anymore. I feel no one understands and no one cares - like everyone's against me - but they're not, they only nag because they care and they want me to live a happy normal life."
Katie's story
Sam's story
"I have always loved playing sport, but recently, after a long selection process and a lot of intense training and assessment, I was chosen in the England under 16 hockey squad."
Sam's story
Daisy's story
"I think there are always struggles when it comes to managing diabetes, but it's how you cope with and overcome those difficulties which matter."
Daisy's story
Dieter's story
"I remember trying to run and my legs felt like lead, it just made me feel like crying - I didn't know what was happening to me. I love sports and to not be able to run was heart breaking."
Dieter's story