Despite ups and downs with diabetes, Lucy is an accomplished table tennis competitor who has more energy than ever.
I have been diabetic for around nine years, I was diagnosed when I was seven and I am now 16.
I am a patient who is on the insulin pump, and this will be my fourth year on it. I'm currently in fifth year at school, Hermitage Acadamy, doing national 5 and higher courses, as well as playing table tennis at least four days a week.
I am currently U18 national champion, and I have represented Scotland at U13, U15, U18 and senior level.
I have travelled all over Europe with table tennis, which is where I need to be even more careful with my diabetes, making sure everything goes to plan. I started playing table tennis the year after I was diagnosed when I was eight years old, and I have never looked back.
With having diabetes, it has had its ups and down and has affected my performances on the table. My parents, diabetic team and I all try our best to control my diabetes when I'm on the table and for hours after, always trying different things to see if it helps then, adjusting them to find the right thing for me whether it be reducing the insulin in the back ground, or having more snacks.
In the last four years (since I've been on the pump) I have been a completely different person. I find myself with a lot more energy and my levels are more controlled, most of the time!
My parents and coaches have supported me with my diabetes and can also see a difference in me as a person and also in my performance after changing from having between 6–10 jabs a day to going on the insulin pump and my moods are a lot better too!
Through the table tennis club my coach, teammates and I are going to do a fundraising event and raise money for Type 1 diabetes. We all hope to raise as much awareness of diabetes as possible.
