A READING University student will share her story about living with diabetes at a major House of Commons debate next month.

Psychology student Ellie Barnett, who lives in east Reading, has been chosen by the international diabetes charity JDRF to speak in front of MPs about how type 1 diabetes has affected her life.

The 21-year-old was first diagnosed with the disease in 2004 after rapidly losing weight and feeling thirsty and tired all the time. She now has to take regular insulin injections to keep her blood glucose levels balanced.

But the second year student is optimistic and says living with diabetes has made her more determined to try to improve the support available to diabetics.

She said: “I am really interested in making a difference and making people more aware of diabetes.

“It is a very personal disease and a lot of people feel very isolated and alone because it is difficult to share it with people.”

Ellie has been selected alongside 59 other diabetics from across the country to speak at the debate, which aims to quantify the amount of effort it takes to manage the condition.

There are around 7,668 people with type 1 diabetes in Reading and a diabetic diagnosed aged five will have had up to 19,000 insulin injections and 50,000 finger prick tests by the time they are 18.

Ellie said: “It is something we have to think about 24/7 and we never get a break. It is always at the back of your head trying to keep it balanced.”

The debate is being held on Tuesday, March 11, and Ellie said: “I’m nervous but excited at the same time. It is a really good opportunity and I feel I have to try to make a difference.”