Nothing can prepare you for one of your children being diagnosed with a long term illness, I took Jack to the doctors that day thinking they would tell me I was overly concerned about nothing, a fussy parent, that it was perfectly normal for him to be thinning out as he got older and as I had a new baby Jack getting up in the night wanting extra attention, drinks and toilet etc was to be expected.  Anyway, after mentioning how he was behaving since I had his baby sister to a few people two people said to me is there Diabetes in the family because some of the things you are describing could be symptoms of that.  I felt so bad I put it all down to him wanting attention because of the new baby!!!  He complained loads about walking to town and his aching legs I just thought typical 6 year old doesn't want to walk anywhere. Eventually, I made him a doctors appointment at 4pm on a Friday so he didn't miss any school and went in and described how he had been and said it is probably nothing but I thought he should get checked out, the doctor did a finger prick test and the monitor couldn't even read it, it just said high!!! Jack was screaming from having his finger pricked and the doctor said I think it could be diabetes he will need more tests at the hospital, being completely clueless about diabetes at the time I asked will we get a letter about the appointment and the doctor said no I am phoning the childrens ward now and they will be expecting you, so I took Jack kicking and screaming literally to the childrens ward where it was just more needles and screaming, I felt helpless I couldn't even say its o.k one more needle and you won't need any more because if it was diabetes needles were going to be a daily part of his life and at 10pm that night they came back and confirmed he was type one diabetic.  I was so sad for him and instantly in that second all of our lives changed, it effects every moment of every day and every member of the family, all of a sudden keeping you child safe and well which you do as a parent anyway took on a whole different meaning, I literally was now responsible for keeping him alive everyday, injections at the right time, feeding him at the right times and the right stuff, just a simple trip to the park required planning and snacks and testing kits, never again was one minute of our lives ever going to be the same.  Jack hated the needles to start with, I used to cry as I had to pin him down and inject him and finger prick him, it was heart breaking!!! 7 years on though we are doing really well and Diabetes UK and Colchester General Hospital Diabetes team have been brilliant.  I cannot thank the Diabetes Uk volunteers that run the Children's holidays enough though, especially Adam who does the Calshot holidays, Jack is a different child because of these holidays, he came home doing his own injections and full of self confidence, every holiday he has learned a new skill and his personality and confidence has grown and I really don't think we would be where we are today without them and they have funded the holidays too, I couldn't have sent him without this help and so now we are giving back by doing this swim, so please all you lovely friends and family please help us to do this and maybe just maybe they might find a cure in Jack's lifetime xxxx