I was first diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 11, I am now 19 and have been on an insulin pump for six years.

Whilst there many pros and cons to being on the insulin pump, but for me, there are many more pros. This is mostly due to the sort of lifestyle I can lead with it, and the freedom it gives me.

When I was on injections, my control of my blood sugar levels was very poor. Whatever the doctors said or threatened, nothing seemed to help. I had just started secondary school when I was diagnosed and this was a difficult time - not only making new friends at school, but coping with a stay in hospital and learning how to cope with diabetes.

I had to try to adapt to eating at specific times and checking my sugar levels frequently. I was on two injections a day, which meant that I was restricted to eating certain amounts.

I wish I had been told more about diabetes, and about how food and exercise can effect it. I have learnt a huge amount in the past few years about looking after myself better.

After 2 years of poor control of my blood sugar levels, my mum researched and found out more about the insulin pump. She’d read about it on some of the American diabetes websites and felt that it would offer me better control and lifestyle.

I’ve found that the insulin pump gives you freedom to do really whatever you want. You have much more freedom about what and when you eat, when you exercise and sleep. In fact, it removes the rigid timetable of meals and snacks that were necessary on injections.

If something new comes up, you can adjust your insulin levels to cope - you don’t have to panic and wonder what to do. It does mean you can exercise whenever you want to, without it being too much of a hassle to change your daily routine. It enables you to do more things, whilst keeping a handle on your sugar levels.

In my opinion the insulin pump should be bought for anyone who can’t put vast restrictions on their lives or stick to a routine, and being a student that is just not possible.

The first year of university was the worst control I have ever had, and this second year seems set to be the best. I’ve learnt so much about how diabetes works, and how you can keep your sugar levels balanced with a totally different lifestyle. It has also made me appreciate that you can’t abuse the technology you are given, as is so easy to do with the insulin pump.

By eating healthily and doing more exercise you can achieve almost normal sugar levels and feel so much better. My own experience has been a steep learning curve, but I feel that with the support of my mum and a lot of learning for myself, things are finally looking good!

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