The tube sticking out of my left arm made it impossible to sleep. The feeling of thirst always stuck in my throat. The low grumble of doctors & nurses set my stomach churning.

Welcome to the children’s ward.

I’d been here but one day, & was already sick of all the drama. I wanted to go home to my warm bed. I wanted the thirst to finally be quenched. I was sick of hearing medical terms. And indeed, I was sick. Very, very, very sick.

I called for my mother. She helped me out of bed & into my slippers. She grabbed the machine that held the IV bag aloft to deliver the liquid into my system. I grabbed hold of the rim & pushed, the wheels squeaking terribly. I walked slowly, alone, down the corridor, looking into other rooms, at children in worse conditions than myself. I looked down at the band on my wrist that contained my name, & the reason I was here. My free access to this exclusive club. I paled at the thought of what I had become.

Welcome to the world of Juvenille Diabetes. Welcome to my new world.