Sweet and Sour- The Type 1 Diabetes Rollercoaster

I’ve finally turned 18, and by definition of the Australian government, I’m officially an adult. It’s at this point that I’ve come to the conclusion that you don’t really “grow up”. Yes, you are accountable for your actions and responsible for yourself, but really the only difference is now I have to do a lot of paperwork and balance a bank account. The good things: - I can stay out as late as I like - I can go to concerts - I can go to bars and clubs - I can drink - I can vote - I can get a boosted ego when I’m guardian of my underage friends at gold class cinemas - I get payments for going to uni The bad things: - I have to get my sorry sleep-deprived-self home on long public transport trips because I don’t live near anything remotely interesting - I have to manage my diabetes pretty much alone - I can drink but my diabetes really doesn’t like that - I can drink but my brain doesn’t really like that - I have to talk to inadequate governmental ag...

As I sat on my laptop, applying for allowances through Centrelink whilst simultaneously looking through bank account options, it suddenly dawned on me that I’m entering the adult world. I now understand why people whinge about Centrelink after having spent hours on the phone with them and filling out an application that took well over the estimated 30 minutes. I understand why people get annoyed at the banks and their convoluted details, because nothing is simple when it’s run by the government or the banks.  This understanding dawned on me when I’d confirmed for the third time, that no, I do not have a live-in partner or children, and no, I’m not Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. STOP ASKING. But this new world isn’t just about governments and banks, turning 18 means that I leave my team at the children’s hospital, and I’m not sure I’m ready yet. It’s said that when you share a life changing experience with someone, a connection is established. Strangely eno...

So, I'm not angry about this (wow what a change!) I just want to somehow break a stereotype, or at least have someone, somewhere, challenge this stereotype. I'm very lucky to live where I do, with the family I do. I have so much support that I've never felt like I've gone without. However, it has to be acknowledged that in the area I live, there is a certain mentality that is present. You're not expected to go on to university. You're supposed to go to TAFE, or get a job. You're supposed to have a boyfriend and plans for the future. I don't have a boyfriend, and I don't plan on getting full time work, I don't plan on going to TAFE. I plan on going to university, and a very prestigious one at that. I didn't choose this uni by its name, unfortunately for me it was the only place that offers my course. My second choice means I'll have to move house and drive for an hour each day to uni. I mention the prestige of the uni because with ...

Well if there's anyone out there, hi! I'm right in the middle of my HSC, five exams left until I can finally finish high school for good and add my other subject's notes to the shredder (I wasn't kidding, this is English) But I thought I'd share some fantastic news with those of you that still pay attention to my little blog. Somehow, I managed to get an early offer/scholarship into uni. Yep.... even I'm not sure how that happened. It was nerve wracking and hard work, but somehow I managed it. So now, I don't have to get as high marks as I once did and if I fit the criteria I am guaranteed a place in the course and made an offer in the first uni offer round in January! I would also like to mention a lovely girl, who I didn't even know read this blog. She's kind hearted and sweet, not to mention driven and intelligent. I first admired her for her brilliance in the acadmeic arena, but as I spoke to her more, I have grown to resp...

If you manage to follow this, well done. My list of scary yet exciting things that I have to think about: - Moving on to a new hospital setting. At 18 you change from the Children's Hospital to the regular no more holding your hand through diabetes adult version. - I have to learn how to adjust the settings on my pump, because no one will help me once I change hospital (there's a lot of math and it freaks me out) - New uni choices. This one is massive! In the past few weeks I've decided on a new back up university, which is a 2 hour drive away from where I currently live. This will mean spending at least four days a week at my grandparents place and taking the hour drive from there to uni every day. This has my head spinning as whilst I'm excited about it, it could wreak havoc on the blood sugar levels from all the stress and the driving and the new place with the new people that I don't know and maybe they won't share my Harry Potter obsession and even...