I have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes since September 1995, aged 10.
I struggled with having diabetes throughout my teens and early twenties, often feeling alone and unsupported.
After a serious hospital stay with serious ketoacidosis, I was lucky enough to be given the chance to go on an insulin pump. I eventually started on a pump in October 2009, and haven't looked back since.
It's been a life changing experience for me. I finally have acceptance my diabetes and a HBA1c result that doesn't freak my doctors out.
Since January 2011 I decided that I wanted to use my experience to help raise awareness and educate people about diabetes and Diabetes UK. I became a volunteer ambassador through the DUK North West office. In that time I have taken part in health events, roadshows, fundraising and presentations, as well as recently co-facilitating the inspiring volunteers session at the DUK volunteer conference.
I am also a trained risk assessor, and helped the North West team to carry out over 3,000 risk assessments at our 12 roadshows. I love my role as a volunteer and want to use my experience and knowledge of living with diabetes for 16 years to help others.
