“I never liked high school. I got named ‘junky boy’ on the first
day. I have diabetes … I started doing my own injections in high
school and had to wear a special wristband. It didn’t take long for
the bullying to get worse. I stopped going out and spent more time
alone.
I started getting irritable at home and didn’t want to see
anyone, preferring to stay up late when I could be alone. I started
to feel really tired in the morning, and soon I wouldn’t get up and
refused to go to school.
I felt ‘ill’ all the time and my brother started to call me
‘vampire’. I looked pale and had no friends. My parents had had
enough of trying to get me to school and I even remember seeing mum
in tears. That was when we spoke to the nurse in the diabetic
clinic and it was suggested that I go to see the psychiatry team in
hospital. I was reluctant, but I did go and I’m really glad.
When we met the team, we talked about my problems and I was
asked to keep a sleep diary. We also tried ‘sleep hygiene
techniques’ – these are tips on helping you sleep, but these didn’t
work.
The specialist doctor prescribed some medication and arranged
for us to meet with some people from education and the
diabetic clinic. It felt like the first time that people were
listening. I now have a work placement and was lucky to get
involved with an organisation that arranges activities for young
people with similar problems to me. I met my girlfriend there.
I am really sleeping much better now and go to the special
teenage diabetic clinic where I get more support. I still don’t go
to school, but I have a home internet package and am hoping to go
to College. My mum is smiling for the first time in months."