'I do all of the things my friends do and have a very normal life.'

I am a 28-year-old guy called Damian. I am now in my 20th year of having Type 1 diabetes. I don't remember a lot from back then but growing up I have had to learn to deal with it along the way.

I have to do a few injections a day, but it has never been a problem for me because I have grown up with the condition and so it's a part of life and has been for as long as I can remember.

I think I have been quite lucky as my diabetes has always been well controlled without me going over the top to keep it that way. A lot of people would think that the condition would hold you back from doing a lot of things but that is not the case at all. I do all of the things my friends do and have a very normal life, so much so that nobody would ever know i was diabetic if i didn't tell them.

The only difference is I have to keep control of my diabetes and inject when I eat which is never a problem for me as I have never really been shy about injecting or talking to people about it. I like to do a lot of active things like cycling and playing football. Although i have to take some emergency supplies with me just in case.

My job too is very active and I often work nights which is no problem at all. I just have to keep an eye on things when i'm at work on nights because of the time differences. It got a bit confusing at first but i soon got used to it. So don't be afraid of anything. Anyone can learn to live a very normal life and do anything you want.