Fabio Cura, 13, won the competition after sharing what diabetes meant to him with a collage of all his diabetes equipment.
Fabio Cura entered the competition to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes and share the reality of living with the condition.
Fabio, from Wistaston, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was four years old.
He said: “Mum had seen the competition and suggested I got involved. I was clearing out one of my drawers which had lots of my old diabetes equipment and realised that all the things I’d used over the years told the story of my journey with diabetes.”
Fabio’s entry to the competition was a collage spelling out ‘Type 1 diabetes’ using the equipment he uses to monitor his blood sugar levels and inject insulin which he has to do several times a day.
The Shavington Academy pupil added: “I really enjoyed taking part in the competition, it was something different and interesting. I wanted to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes, that it isn’t caused by eating too much or being overweight and to share what it’s like to live with every day.”
Type 1 diabetes is a condition where the pancreas cannot produce insulin which is needed to carry glucose around the body. It’s the most common type of diabetes in children and young adults, starting suddenly and getting worse quickly. It is treated by daily insulin doses – taken either by injections or via an insulin pump.
The Diabetes UK competition asked children and young people affected by diabetes, to express what the condition meant to them in whichever way they wished.
Fabio’s mum Jo, 42, added: “We’re incredibly proud of Fabio for sharing his experiences and raising awareness of diabetes. Diabetes has always been a part of our family life, as Fabio was diagnosed at a young age. Looking back at all the different equipment he has used, it’s amazing to see how much technology has changed- even in such a small amount of time. We hope that in sharing what diabetes means to him, he’s able to help other young people living with the condition too.”
Fabio added: “Diabetes is everything to me, it’s always been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I wouldn’t be the same without it, it’s part of who I am but doesn’t hold me back.”
