Diabetes is actually quite normal for me because I've grown up with it, and I know a lot of other people who have it. I didn't like it at all in primary school because I always had to give myself an insulin shot before eating. Everyone else could eat anything and I always had to think about what I could or couldn't eat – that was a bit weird.People usually treat me like any other person. My insulin pump isn't really noticeable, but of course many people ask me: ‘You have diabetes? Isn’t that awful?’ I don’t feel like I have diabetes, I just have to take insulin and check my blood glucose sometimes.I've felt so much better since I got the pump. I can check my blood glucose better – everything has become easier. You just press a few buttons.It's pretty cool to check my blood glucose in public with people looking on as I prick my finger! When I go swimming, I still have my catheter on, but I just don't care if people stare. People tend to stare at fat people even more. And that's a lot worse.

When I do karate I take the pump off and when the practice is over, I reconnect and check my blood glucose. The blood glucose meter sends my current glucose level to the pump, which is very practical. When I ride my BMX I can just leave it in my pocket. Disconnected. Sometimes I take the catheter off completely and use the pen.

My advice to you: Go on diabetes trips and summer camps because that's where you get to know other people with diabetes. It's really cool because you can talk about diabetes with them – they have the exact same problems as you.