With the NHS spending billions each year on diabetes, a nationwide charity is aiming to educate people in managing the condition. Nick Gullon talks to two sufferers about how they have been able to control their diabetes and live normal lives

DIABETES affects nearly 150,000 people in the North-East, with almost 6,000 of them in Darlington alone. Despite this, it is a condition that many of us are still unclear about.

Who better to provide a first-hand account of the condition than 18-year-old Jonathan Barber, who has seen for himself over the last two years how life-changing diabetes can be.

Jonathan discovered he had Type 1 diabetes in October 2013. He recalls the weeks leading up to his diagnosis.

"I felt constantly tired and just generally ill. I was always thirsty and I remember stopping at a petrol station and begging my brother to get me a drink.

"I'd looked up the symptoms online and all that came up was diabetes, but everyone kept telling me it wasn't. You think it is something that won't effect you."

One thing that was certain was Jonathan's life would never be the same again.

"Everything changes. You have to think about diabetes all the time. I can't go out the house without my insulin or a bottle of Coke."

The most remarkable thing is how he appears to be no different to any other teenager. As we talk in a crowded coffee shop in Darlington, Jonathan would be the last person you would suspect if you were told someone in this building was diabetic.

"I try and act as normal as possible and not let it take over my life. I've done my injection on a tour bus, a bench in Ireland, even in the Emirates Stadium. It just feels normal for me now."

"If you break your leg its clear for everyone to see. Diabates is very much a hidden condition," said the Darlington College student.

There are more than 31,000 children under 19 with diabetes in the UK, with more than 95% of them being Type 1. However, there is still a real issue over awareness of the condition.

Conservative MP Derek Thomas was recently forced to apologise after saying all cases diabetes could be avoided "through good diet and exercise". His comments were branded "preposterous and extremly hurtful."

Research shows Type 2 diabetes can be largely avoided through healthy living, however Type 1 is a lifelong genetic condition that has no link to diet or exercise.

Jonathan said: "We simply need to raise awareness. My biggest annoyance is people getting Type 1 and Type 2 mixed up."

But despite this, he encourages anyone diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes not to let it get in the way.

"There is nothing I can't do that I could before. As long as I keep it under control, I can act like a normal 18 year old. If you want to do something, do it."

He described his biggest fear that diabetes would prevent him playing football, his biggest love. But only last week, he scored a hat trick for his Sunday League team JFC United on Teesside.

His advice to sufferers? "Control your diabetes, don't let diabetes control you."

Alarmingly, as many as 25,000 people could be living with undiagnosed diabetes in the region.

To mark the recent World Diabetes Day, Diabetes UK is launching a new campaign which aims to highlight the huge difference education courses can make for people with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Kerami Roberts, a mother of one from Darlington, was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in January 2014 and has spoken about how the course helped her take control of her condition.

She says: “When I was diagnosed I was terrified, the portrayal of Type 2 diabetes in the media is often very shocking and this compounded my fear.

"I live with a long term disability which requires me to use a wheelchair and so getting practical advice on diet and fitness and the impact diabetes has on the body gave me the confidence to fully take control of my diabetes.”

Stephen Ryan, north of England regional manager at Diabetes UK, said: “Those who have just been diagnosed with diabetes or who have been living with the condition for some time, can find it difficult to get their heads around how to successfully manage the condition.

"But by attending a diabetes education course, they can instead feel empowered to take control and manage their condition with confidence."

Jonathan's family have been particularly supportive to Diabetes UK since his diagnosis. His brother, Matthew, ran the Great North Run in 2014 and raised £800 for the charity.

As we leave the coffee shop, my understanding of Type 1 diabetes may have risen drastically, but one thing has remained unchanged. I have no reason to think Jonathan is anything other than a typical 18 year old.

To find out more about the Taking Control campaign, visit diabetes.org.uk/taking-control