Youngster's Washington photocall with Obama
A young girl has told of her excitement at getting the chance to see US President Barack Obama during a fundraising mission.
Teenager Amy Wilton was part of an international delegation to Washington campaigning for cash for research into diabetes.
As well as mixing with US senators, she enjoyed a trip to the White House where she listened to a speech from the president himself.
Amy, who was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of five, was asked to represent the UK at an American summit on behalf of the international charity the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
'The trip was absolutely amazing,' said Amy, from Frosthole Crescent, Fareham.
'I was so pleased and surprised to be picked to represent the UK.
'It was great being in Washington and seeing President Obama. I didn't get to meet him but I did meet Nick Jonas from the Jonas Brothers. He has diabetes too.
'I made some really good friends out there and it was nice to meet others like me. It reminds you that you're not the only one.'
Amy has been on insulin injections ever since she was diagnosed.
Now aged 14 she's in control of her condition but, like other sufferers, dreams one day of a cure.
Amy was one of just five international delegates picked to join American youngsters at a Children's Congress in Washington DC.
The aim was to persuade the American government to continue funding research into finding a cure for Type 1 diabetes.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is an international charity, started in America. Although the Congress event was about funding for the American branch of the charity, the funds will ultimately go towards finding a cure.
Amy added: 'Even though it was all about helping American children, if the American charity can find a cure then it will help the rest of us across the world as well.
'I have learnt to live with my diabetes but it's still frustrating at times, when your friends are eating sweets and other nice food and you always have to be careful.
'It would be great if a cure was found.'
DIABETES FACTS
Diabetes is a condition where the amount of glucose in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly.
There are two types of diabetes – Type 1 and Type 2.
Type 1 develops if the body is unable to produce any insulin – which is a vital hormone produced by the pancreas and helps the glucose enter the cells where it is used as fuel for energy.
Type 2 develops when the body can still make some insulin but not enough, or when the insulin produced does not work properly.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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