So, if you've come this far, you'll already know my son is a Type 1 diabetic and was diagnosed on the 31/3/21, the day our world fell apart. It's a day I'll never forget and still haunts me today.

Let's just say he was at the stage where his organs were failing. If left undiagnosed any longer, this could have been fatal.

Once diagnosed, it was only by looking back at photos that we noticed a slow decrease in weight over the past three months.

I recall one Sunday morning, during a playful father-son tussle, noticing his spine was showing.

I mentioned to my partner that we need to monitor his weight. As parents of growing children, we had attributed it to hormones and his active involvement in sports and school, etc.

While closely monitoring his weight, we also noticed other behaviours, such as drinking excessive amounts of water and urinating frequently.

At times, he would feel very lifeless and fatigued, and then suddenly be okay. I must say, this was in the last few days leading up to the diagnosis.

At this point, we knew something was seriously wrong and needed answers.

My partner took our son to the doctor's for a checkup. Here's the shocking part: the doctor performed the checkup, took a blood test, and said the results would return within 24 hours.

Once returned home, I remember my partner and me in the garden putting away the furniture, which caught my neighbours attention over the fence.

This was just the usual "How are you?" conversation until I mentioned my son's condition.

We got talking, and I started to explain everything we've been experiencing: from drinking loads to urinating excessively and feeling very fatigued. His next words were, 'I bet my yearly wage he's diabetic.'

We both looked at each other and were so taken back by this, but realised it could be true.

No, not our son, surely? He's fit, young, and healthy. But who are we to diagnose a condition we know absolutely nothing about right?

You're probably asking yourself, how does he know of these symptoms? Well, he is a type 1 diabetic.

What are the chances of that? God works in mysterious ways. I truly believe this.

After the conversation had finished, we decided to check on our son. At this point, his condition had worsened and was deteriorating rapidly.

My partner and I decided to take further action, so we took him to A and E and demanded answers.

The nurses could clearly see that our son wasn’t responsive and took action immediately.

They took blood tests and realised his sugar levels were out of control and immediately connected him to two drips where he would be hydrated and have his salts replenished back into his system.

This was all during COVID by the way. I wasn't allowed in as only one parent was allowed at this time. I remember waiting in the car for hours, thinking this must be serious, and it was.

The nurses said you are so lucky you took action when you did; otherwise, things could have been fatal, possibly resulting to death.

I remember around 11:30 am that evening, my partner called and mentioned our neighbour was correct in his diagnosis; our son is a type 1 diabetic.

I couldn't breathe for a good 10 seconds while trying to take all this in.

After a deeply emotional call, the nurses had kindly decided to let me in to see my son.

Seeing him on the bed, connected to two drips looking lifeless, is an image I will never, NEVER forget.

The doctor called around 12:00 am, instructing us to take our son to A&E. My partner's response was, "We're already here.

" Enough said on that matter. But sometimes, it's important to take action and trust your instincts..

If we had listened to the doctor, our son might not have made it through the night.

So, this is my experience with diabetes and my son. I cannot explain the emotions and pain we endured at that time, which today has made us stronger than ever.

We are now three years down the line and have educated ourselves on diabetes. My son is now fighting fit and is my inspiration every day.

He's active in the gym and plays for his local football team. Oh, and by the way, he's taller than me now and I'm 5ft 10"haha. He has not let this beat him and I WILL NOT let this beat us.

Going forward, I hope people understand the deep drive and passion I have for this as we almost lost our son. If I can prevent this from happening to a family, child, or adult, my job is done.

Thank you so much for taking the time reading about my experience.