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I was diagnosed with Type 1 juvenile diabetes when I was four years old. The body changes most food into a form of sugar called glucose. Insulin is a hormone that allows the body to use this sugar for energy. Diabetes is a disease that
 occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use insulin properly.
There are 2 types of diabetes. Type 1 occurs when the body does not produce any insulin at all. For some reason it occurs most often in children. This is the type I have. The other type is Type 2.
I always have to be prepared. I carry a fast-acting sugar, wear diabetic identification, tell all my teachers and friends about my condition and what to do for me if I get into trouble, and, of course, prick, prick, prick my fingers. My family is a wonderful support. They help me out a lot.
When blood sugar levels are not maintained properly, children with diabetes can be threatened with either of two emergencies: hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), caused by the buildup of glucose in the bloodstream, or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), occurring when blood glucose levels drop too low. Hypoglycemia is also called insulin reaction or insulin shock. Both situations can be dangerous if I do not take care of myself.
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