When I was 14 I suddenly lost focus. Literally.

This wasn’t a teenage “the World is against me” kind of adjustment, no. My eyes literally could not focus on the page in front of me.

I remember it very clearly (no pun intended) as I was busy with the mid-year exams. During one sitting I’m sure the staff thought I was reading the pages of everyone around me as I tilted my head from side to side in an attempt to make out the numbers on the Maths test.

It was the last of a couple of signs that lead to my diagnosis. Type one insulin dependent Diabetes Mellitus. Huh? I’d never heard of it.

The consulting Pediatrician tried to console my lack of knowledge by telling me that within a year, I’d know more about my disease than he did. They then proceeded to subscribe a high carb, low fat, “healthy, balanced” diet. With insulin injections with each meal and a week’s hospital stay for good measure. “Eat foods labelled ‘Diabetic Friendly’. Avoid sugar. Don’t drink Coke, drink fruit juice instead.

Wow, if I knew then what I do now, I would have thrown a brick at those ‘medical professionals’.

Granted, there are many different types of Diabetes. But all of them benefit from minimal carbohydrate diets, without fructose and ‘hidden’ sugars commonly found in foods labelled “Suitable for Diabetics”.

Diabetes is one of the largest diseases in the world, and the understanding of it leaves much to be desired. The fact that Type 1 diabetes only accounts for 10% of the diabetic population, doesn’t help the misinformation. When I speak of Diabetes here, I’ll specify if I mean Type 2, otherwise, please assume I’m speaking about the type that requires insulin injections to control the blood sugar levels of the body.