'It took a bad experience to realise I should take a blood test every time I drive'

I have been diagnosed with Type1 diabetes for 18 years. I have had my ups and downs like everyone, but on the whole I have been fit and healthy by checking my eyes and blood sugar levels.

I been driving now for three years in the UK, never really having any problems regarding my sugar levels.

My mum always says "check your sugar levels when you drive. I know it is annoying, but it's better to be safe than sorry."

When I go on  a long journey I always check my levels and make sure I take something sweet like lucozade in case I need it.

The other night I finished work and got into my car. The weather was grey and rainy, the journey time from work to home is 10 minutes on the motorway. I got onto the motorway and came up to my junction, but was in the wrong lane to turn off, so I continued to the next junction.

The only problem was my sugar levels was dropping and my warning signs did not kick in, so I continued driving.

I started to get confused, but not really thinking anything of it. I got lost and even more confused driving around.  One hour passed since I left work and my sugar levels continued to drop. I took a turning off the motorway, about five junctions down where I was supposed to get off and I hit a post at full speed. The airbags activated and that's all I remember.

Then  a few minutes later I woke up crying and screaming having also wet myself  to be surrounded by two paremedics giving me a gluco jab and trying to get my sugar levels up after they dropped to 1.9.

Due to hitting a post and having whiplash, the paremedics called out the fire brigade who cut the roof off my car to get me out as they were worried that my spine could be damaged and if I moved I could be paralysed.

After about 40 minutes I was pulled out on a spine board and all around me were firefighters and police making sure I was OK.  I was in shock but still I had not realized what had happen to me.

All I could think was 'please God make sure my spine is OK so I can walk. I don't care about the £3000 I just spent last week buying my new car.'

After a full check from the doctors I was discharged with no fractures or cracks to my spine. Leaving the hospital I was still shaky and thinking how I am going to tell my family what happend.

I had to go through a bad expirience to realize that I should have a blood test every time I get into  a car and drive, regardless how short my trip is going to be.