'Diabetes won't stop Peter doing anything'

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Peter had just turned three when I realised that he might have diabetes. I'm a nurse so I'd had my suspicions for a while but a couple of things clinched it for me.

Peter hasn't got a sweet tooth so when he started to ask for biscuits I figured he needed something sugary. He was also eating more but losing weight and his nappies were overflowing. I took him to the doctors in July 2002 and we were told he had type 1 diabetes.

I was still shocked even though I sort of expected it. My husband Steve and I were told we weren't to blame. Logically I knew we weren't but it did make me feel better to hear the doctor say it.

We were then given a book called Type 1 diabetes in children by Ragner Hanas, which we have read over and over again. It told us about diabetes, how the body uses glucose and how to tell Peter. It also told us what we should expect as he grows up.

We were living in Germany at the time and our doctor admitted us to a local hospital at the end of July 2002. I spent a week in there with Peter learning about checking his blood sugar levels and giving him insulin injections. No-one likes being prodded with needles but because he's so laid back he took it all in his stride and soon got used to it - although he still didn't like it!

We decided not to tell Peter about the diabetes until he was a bit older because he wouldn't have understood. But when we moved back to the UK in 2003, we took him to meet the diabetes team at the nearby Exeter hospital to be registered for treatment. They gave him a brilliant book called 'Diabetes made simple' by Novo Nordisk, which is written for children.

An average day for us is getting up in the morning and checking his blood sugar levels straight away. We use a special machine to measure this. Peter has to prick his finger with the lancet (sharp needle) attached to the meter and then the machine gives him a reading - another thing which Peter doesn't really enjoy! I then give him a dextrose (sugar substitute) tablet if he needs it and then cereal for breakfast.

At lunchtime I meet Peter at his school and he now does his own checks and injections. I'm just there in case he needs my help. When he gets home he checks his blood sugar levels again and gives himself another injection if he needs it. I had to teach Peter how to do this because it is not something I can do for him forever and I think he realises this now. We then have tea, one more check and then bed.

The teachers at his school are really good - every year they have read the 'Diabetes made simple' book to their classes so that they know what diabetes is and what to do if something should happen to him. At the moment he is the only one who has diabetes in his school but that isn't a problem for him or the other kids.

Peter is so laid back about the whole diabetes thing now and I think that's because we've been so open about it with everyone. He's a really easygoing and friendly boy.

He's just like any other 7-and-a-half year old - goes round his friends' house and goes to parties. I do have to go with him most of the time to make sure he does his checks and injections but as he gets more responsible I'm sure I wont need to.

He doesn't know for definite what he wants to be when he grows up, maybe a firefighter or policeman. One thing's for sure though, he wont let his diabetes get in the way of anything he wants to do.

'Type 1 diabetes in children, adolescents and young adults' by Ragner Hanas costs £17.99 from Class Publishing.

'Diabetes made simple' is available from your diabetes consultant and is made by Novo Nordisk. www.novonordisk.co.uk.

More help and advice

- Read more in-depth information about type 1 diabetes
- Quick tips that can help with diabetes
- Read about type 2 diabetes
- Why not try our diet for diabetics
- Are you worried that you or your kids might have diabetes? Talk about it with other users

- For more support and services to help with diabetes, visit the Diabetes UK website

By Vicky Woollaston

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