I've often been heard to say that I'd rather have diabetes and all that goes with it than to not have diabetes at all.  And every time I say it I get very odd looks.  So I bet you’re asking “Who is this girl and does she have a brain?! or a life?”  But seriously, when I think of my life, (yes I do have one!!) and think of the positives to come out of my twelve years with diabetes, they definitely outweigh the negatives.  I'm a camp freak and I wouldn't miss diabetes camps for the world.  I have gone from a timid seven year old camper with Diabetes Australia, to a less timid camper with the Royal Children’s Hospital and finally at the start of last year I made the final step to being a leader.  This was the biggest but most fun step of all!!  I have made the most fantastic group of friends through these camps and through other groups.  You may be wondering why I am writing this down! 

I have recently read a book called  "Different but the Same" which was written by a group of twenty-seven adolescents involved in Paediatric and Adolescent Support Service (PASS) in Geelong telling their stories of living with chronic or terminal illness.  Many illnesses were represented including asthma, Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, cancer and three stories of diabetes.   When I first heard of this book I was quite intrigued at the prospect of learning from others or possibly receiving some useful insight into the way that others cope with serious illness.  Unfortunately, I was a bit disapponted.  This is not to say that it wasn't an interesting read because it was definitely an eye opener.  It made me realise exactly how lucky I am compared to a lot of others but I think that I already had a fair idea of that. 

Diabetes in this book is portrayed as a very negative disease.  A lot of emphasis was placed on the complications and stress involved with leading a diabetic life.  Maybe this was intentional and there was an underlying motive in compiling this book.  Maybe diabetes was out of place among the other diseases discussed in the book.  It is quite unique after all.   I have to hope that the diabetics that have told their stories here are not the norm, as this would sadden me no end.  Diabetes does not have to ruin your life.  Admittedly, if complications set in this would make life quite difficult but as it is, the possibility of complications could be an inspiration to us to maintain good control of our diabetes instead of being doomed to death. 

My diabetes has not stopped me from doing anything, except for hang gliding (I'm scared of heights anyway!!) and joining the police force or the armed forces (and I am not fit enough anyway!!).  I am a third year Science student at Melbourne University, I hold a part time job as a laboratory assistant at the Geelong Hospital, have an active social life and probably most importantly I lead a happy and healthy life.  Having diabetes has helped me to not take life for granted and to in turn become a more positive person. 

This was originally supposed to be a book review but I have gotten way off track! So back to it...  I encourage you to read this book if you are feeling alone or hard done by as it is an eye opener to what others go through but if you're looking for anything more than just a snaphot of people’s lives, then you probably won't find any inspiration here, sorry!! 

I intend to write my complete diabetes experience at some stage as this book has inspired me to change the way that the general public see diabetes.  Unfortunately, the public are less likely to donate money to a group who they see as indifferent to themselves and who lead fulfilling lives, so I guess it's a vicious circle and if we want a cure then the negative approach may be the way to go!  (I just can’t stand those ads with the baby in the syringe though!)  I am really looking forward to one day attending a camp or get together for people who used to have diabetes!