CYP Now - Opinion: If I were in charge of diabetes - Holly Radcliffe, 18,Dartford, Kent

There should be more information about diabetes. When I was in the children's clinic in hospital, no one really talked to me about my diabetes. I had to keep asking questions. More reading materials and people to talk to would have really helped. It would be good to be able to talk to other young people with diabetes.

The web site I'm involved with - where young people give personalaccounts of illness (www.yourhealthtalk.org) - would have been usefulwhen I was younger. You need more information on how to live withdiabetes, from a young person's point of view.

There should also be more funding. My routine is so rigid; I have tohave injections at certain times and eat at certain times. There is aninjection programme called Daphne that gives diabetes sufferers muchmore freedom and flexibility. But my hospital doesn't have the money tooffer it.

It's frustrating that there is this life-changing programme out therebut you can't get it.

I think there needs to be more publicity about diabetes. It is alsoimportant to have more groups for young people and adults struggling orcoming to terms with it.

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