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If you're a teen with Type 1, work with your mum or dad like a team

Liam who has Type 1 diabetes met his idols at Liverpool Football Club's training ground, and won a set of signed team shirts after winning Diabetes UK's Kop Idol.

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Liam, with his mum Charlotte and the LFC manager Jürgen Klopp 

Read the background story on the Liam's win in the Kop idol competition. Here's Liam's side of the story.

 

Liam said: "My mum told me that I had won the competition on the Friday before we went to Melwood, but she didn't tell me what the prize was. She just said it was a Liverpool Football club prize and that it was a surprise so I had no idea what to expect until we got to Melwood. When I realised we were at the training ground I was so happy and excited, but a bit nervous too because I still didn't know what was happening. Each surprise got better and better. It was one of the best days of my life. I felt so happy."

"When we got to Melwood we were talking to the club's Head of Fitness and Conditioning Dr Ryland Morgans who also has Type 1. When John Barnes walked in, I had my back to the door so all I saw was my Mum's face and when I turned around he was there.  I thought my surprise was to meet him which was really brilliant in itself. Then we did an interview for BBC Radio Merseyside which was cool and then John Barnes said he had a present for me which was a big grey box and I thought he was joking. He gave me 19 signed t-shirts that Dr Ryland had donated. That part shocked me.

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Liam: "John Barnes kept pulling more t-shirts out of the box and I couldn't believe it.."

He just kept pulling more t-shirts out of the box. I couldn't believe it and I couldn't stop laughing and smiling. Then we went and met some of the players and they signed autographs and we had photographs too. James Milner and Jurgen Klopp were really nice to us and asked if we were having a good day. I couldn't answer and was just smiling.

After that we watched the team train for 30 minutes."

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Liam: When James Milner (right) and Jurgen Kopp asked us if we were having a good day, I couldn't answer and was just smiling."

Liam said: "Meeting Dr Ryland Morgans and the team really inspired me. Ryland gave me some dietary advice because I am still learning and was finding that some foods make me spike. Ryland suggested I eat brown bread instead of white, change my cereal choices and the milk I use and it has really helped. I have had pretty much brilliant readings since and it's made me want to learn more about foods. It's also made me realise that diabetes doesn't have to be all bad and it doesn't to control your life even though it's really tough sometimes.

I'm really grateful that I won the competition and want to say thank you again to everyone who was there and to the team for making my day. It was so amazing.  My face hurt from smiling so much."

Liam admits that some days are easier than other days and it's taken some time to get used to life being different with diabetes.

To other teenagers recently diagnosed with diabetes, Liam said: "I'd say to listen to the advice that the diabetic nurses give to you and if something isn't working then it's okay, don't worry, just try something else and work with your mum or dad like a team."

All photos copyright Liverpool Football Club

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