My father was also very relaxed about it. He never argued with me not to do it. I think he knew not to try to talk me out of it (he and I had a long history of irritated teen and worried dad -- my indifference to his concerns had driven him to reply "ok" on many occasions!).

To feel safer for me, he had asked if had I considered taking Dr. Tattersall's number. I became instantly irritated (mostly because he was stumbling onto my own concern) and I commented that I would call for his number if I needed it. In fact, it was already packed in my bag!

About 3 weeks before I left for England I got a call from a girlfriend from college who lived in Decatur Ill. She called to say hi and to tell me she was not returning to school in the fall. She had decided to live abroad. I jumped and said "me too, where are you going?" and she yelled "Great Britain!" I yelled, she yelled and we ended the call with plans to live together in London!

I had my wisdom teeth pulled, and a week later I was on my way to London!

I spent my first 3 weeks traveling England, Scotland and a small part of Ireland and then I returned to find Sally waiting for me at the BUNAC office and off we went to find a flat. We both took jobs in Harrods and lived the life of every day Londoners! I traveled over to continental Europe most weekends and ended my year's stay by traveling through Europe for 3 months, living solely out of a backpack (which included my diabetic supplies) and youth hostels.

That experience gave me so much of who I am today: confidence, self esteem and a love for other cultures and people! In 2004, I went back to England to hike for 3 weeks in the Cotswald and Cornwall with my mother. We eventually spent 3 days in London, when I took her to see where I lived. It was only then standing at my London door that my mother shared her true feelings about my journey. I'm glad she shared them later, as it would have affected my journey had I known her true feelings!

I am glad to have this unique opportunity to share with many parents my experience as a teen with diabetes. But even better is to have both sides of the story. My mother is my best advocate and I'd like her to share her experiences to round out this picture!

See also: A site for teens with diabetes