Hello, my name is Shane (pictured on the right with my brother). I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in March 2007. I felt really scared and shocked as never heard of what diabetes was. I had never even heard the word!
I sat in hospital thinking of what people would think of me. I did not feel like I had anyone to talk to. Being diagnosed at first you seem not to know how bad Diabetes can be. The only time you actually begin to come across how serious it can be is when you are told by the doctors.
Since that day my life has been different. I had to change my living style, but thinking about it, it has made me feel a lot more confident about not being what I called 'different' to everyone else.
There have been three main people who have helped me through my life as being someone with diabetes. They are my mum, my dad and my brother. I could have not asked for better people in my life!
I am the only one in my family with diabetes which is hard but I get all the support I need. As part of my exercise, I do karate with my karate club. Everyone at the club have helped me through getting over it and trying to make me work hard. I am so close to getting my black belt and I am determined to get it and not let anyone stop me from doing so.
I feel like I am a new person even though I always think about there being a cure and I feel sorry for every single person with diabetes out there. In some cases there are people who think you can just get on with it. We all do but they do not know what the illness does to you emotionally. I just wish someday a person like that would actually understand. I thank West Ham FC for making my dream come true by playing at Upton Park.
Diabetes UK also have been good to me as I’ve been on one of their holidays and got to meet other diabetics which made me feel happy as they know what it feels like. I couldn’t stop smiling :).
I’m the only person with Type 1 diabetes in my year and about to leave school. It’s a hard illness to battle but I know, deep down, I’ve done the best I can do.
All I can say is that I wish that everybody with diabetes stays healthy and can one day say, “I do not have diabetes anymore”. Be happy with life because it’s the biggest gift you have.
Thanks for reading my story :)
Shane
Your comments
everything youve said is so true!! its hard to believe that other people feel the same way i do. what you said about people saying to just get on with it, my friends say that! they dont get it, do they...
its good to know that im not on my own, but at the same time sorry for all yous who have to suffer with it too =(
your story put a smile on my face, but i still cant quite work out why...
- Maddy
This story is amazing. I'm 12 and I got diabetes when I was 10 and I didn't even know what the word meant either. I'ts so inspirational all these stories. I think it's amazing how you can just talk about this on the internet. Anyway it's just life I suppose and you gotta live it to the full. x :) - Katie
Wow, that is so inspirational! I am 12 and got diabetes a year ago. I felt the whole world was just going to go against me but now, thanks to all the support I got, I feel so much better. - Georgia K
That was inspirational. Everything you said was so true. I hope everyone with diabetes knows that there not alone. I got diabetes this year, but it helps to know that there's other people out there feeling the same as I did.
Diabetes will never stop us doing anything we want to do guys :) x - Laura, 15