I haven't quite worked out if I'm having a quarter life crises or if I've lost the plot a little.. but I have decided to run the 2018 London Marathon for Diabetes UK!

Some of you reading this may not know (as it's not something you generally shout about) March 2018 will mark my 20th year living with Type 1 diabetes. In that time I have had over 22,000 injections and over 33,000 blood tests. 

When I was 8 years old I was taken into hospital for tests after suffering with a virus for a number of weeks, not showing any signs of getting better the Dr's told my parents to take me to A&E. That night I was diagnosed and taken to Peter Pan ward at Hillingdon Hospital where I spent three nights making friends with the children on the ward and not really understanding why my mum kept crying.

Currently there is no cure for Type 1 Diabetes but it can be managed by daily insulin injections. If Diabetes is not controlled it can cause health complications such as loss of sight, kidney failure, lower limb amputation and cardiovascular disease. People with diabetes also have a reduced life expectancy than people without diabetes.

I am sharing my story now, not for sympathy, but to raise awareness of a desease that I believe is still greatly miss understood by many and swept under the carpet as something that you brought on yourself by living an unhealthy lifestyle.

Let me start by saying I love my life, Diabetes may be a part of it that I cannot escape but it has never stopped me doing anything, in fact it's probably egged me on to do something more if I think I shouldn't... which may at times not have been the best idea..

I have chosen to run (possibly crawl) for Diabetes U.K. as they are an amazing charity working hard not only to find a cure for this desease but they also give so much to support to individuals and families affected by it. When I was first diagnosed I attended several holiday camps with other children my age, away from our parents where it allowed us to regain our independence and manage our Diabetes on our own. It also showed our worried parents that it was not the end of the world, there is a life with Diabetes and their babies would be ok. Without this support I am not sure that I would be the confident person I am today.

Yes I have to plan my life a bit more than others, I couldn't just stay at my friends house after school when I was younger or before we moved out I couldn't stay at Martin's if I didn't have my insulin with me for the morning. I can't go to bed without making sure we have something in the house in case I go low. When I travel I have to make sure I take enough medication to last double the time I'm away, I have to have a prescription and Dr note with me when I go through customs BUT I do travel the world with my job, I make sure I am prepared, I have an amazing family, boyfriend and group of friends who support and love me. Yes I've made mistakes and I hope my health doesn't catch up with me and all the VKs I once consumed (rolls eyes) sadly at times I have been horrible to my some favourite people because I've decided to ignore warnings and let my sugars go crazy and I've lost control, I am human and sometimes I do slip up but 99.9% of the time I live a life just like my friends, and if anything having Diabetes has made me the event planner I am today!

Sorry for the essay : ), the reason you are all reading.. If anyone would like to sponsor me, any amount big or small is appreciated!! I will be sharing my journey over the next few months from couch potato to Marathon runner on my story below, on Instagram and Facebook.

For more information on where your money will go please see the link below: 

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Get_involved/Ways-to-donate/How-your-money-helps/

Finally thank you to my mum & dad for always worrying about me, always loving me when I've been a massive pain and for mum for still ordering my prescriptions even though I'm 28 (hands over face), and to Martin for forgiving me when I've not been myself and for always looking after me (especially when I wake him at 2am for a can of coke because I have a low blood sugar) xxxxx

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.