Being diagnosed with diabetes at a young age can come as a shock and even a challenge for a teenager or young adult.

Members of Young Diabetes Fiji are calling on the young population to get regular checks to ensure they’re living a diabetes free life.

24-year-old Shika Kumar presented herself in hospital with headaches and flu in 2010 only to leave hospital diagnosed with Type One diabetes – an insulin dependent diabetic at the age of sixteen.

“Everything is just falling apart, the big dreams of going to college and eating this and going here and there it just all seemed impossible especially in the first part I couldn’t focus in class.”

The pre-school teacher says it took almost five years to accept she will be a diabetic for the rest of her life.

Meanwhile, three years ago, old Adarsh Aniket was rushed to hospital for dehydration.

Blood tests revealed he had diabetes – at the age of fifteen.

“When i had diabetes i got very emotional, I cried a lot and didn’t think that a person like me can get diabetes. I was very shy in front of other people and I couldn’t leave my home so just stayed inside.”

Living with diabetes is challenging for anyone, but can be especially difficult for young adults.

The Young Diabetes Fiji group consists of young diabetics empowering young people living with diabetes around the country.