Sweet and Sour- The Type 1 Diabetes Rollercoaster

I had a different post planned for today, but after receiving a comment on one of my other posts I felt this was a better topic. I hope this helps a few diabetics out there as well as informs everyone else about what it can be like when you're the token diabetic kid. When I was diagnosed with t1d, I went to a school that had no other diabetics.  None. Now that's changed over the years and the current group have a fairly strong support network, but I didn't.  Many things were a battle, like getting exam provisions and understanding from teachers.  But all that aside, I had an overwhelming sense of loneliness.   Those closest to you alleviate it to some extent, but they can't know exactly what it's like, because they have a fully functioning pancreas! Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they have a pancreas that does as it's told, but it gets a bit lonely. You look around at school, in the shops, anywhere and see people eating without a thought of h

I’ve finally turned 18, and by definition of the Australian government, I’m officially an adult. It’s at this point that I’ve come to the conclusion that you don’t really “grow up”. Yes, you are accountable for your actions and responsible for yourself, but really the only difference is now I have to do a lot of paperwork and balance a bank account. The good things: - I can stay out as late as I like - I can go to concerts - I can go to bars and clubs - I can drink - I can vote - I can get a boosted ego when I’m guardian of my underage friends at gold class cinemas - I get payments for going to uni The bad things: - I have to get my sorry sleep-deprived-self home on long public transport trips because I don’t live near anything remotely interesting - I have to manage my diabetes pretty much alone - I can drink but my diabetes really doesn’t like that - I can drink but my brain doesn’t really like that - I have to talk to inadequate governmental ag