I attended a Diabetes Patient Advocacy Summit last month organised by Novo Nordisk Europe. This event gives diabetes organisations an opportunity to exchange ideas and learn from each other. For me It was also a journey of realisation and huge learning on being a more effective advocate.

I’ve had a serious of minor musculoskeletal ailments, over recent years, however, my most recent issue has turned me into a desperate zombie who hasn’t slept through the night in over three months: a frozen shoulder combined with inflammation and a partial tendon tear.

Our Local Election Candidates are calling to our doors and it’s time to ask them what they will do to improve my diabetes service locally.

There aren't many times that diabetes shakes my confidence in my ability to manage it or overwhelm me to the point where I just can’t think. But a couple of weeks ago, I had such an experience and it was quite scary. My blood sugars levels were so high that I could feel the nausea of DKA.

I’m usually the last to finish my dinner even though I’m one of the first to sit to the table. Why? Because of my diabetes meal time ritual. Every time I eat. I sit to the table and then push my plate away from me to make room for checking blood glucose levels and the maths.