In hindsight, it is very easy to spot all the signs of diabetes, being thirsty, urinating more, being more tired than usual, but when you are not considering it, these symptoms are missed.

It is a horrible feeling being parents of diagnosed children. You suddenly look at your child in a new light - they have diabetes. DIABETES feels suddenly like a heavy rock tied around your baby.

I remember only too well, Eddie was 2, previously he had been a bouncy, tidal of fun. A mischievous wilful little boy. DIABETES destroyed that and at first it felt like the end of the road, we were doomed!!

Funnily enough it didn't happen all at once, if it had we may have been more aware, but it was gradual, a steady decline of our toddler. On one particular day, he looked ill, he was ill. He was listless, unresponsive, he was drinking excessively, he had stomach ache, he felt sick - he was obviously VERY SICK.

Alarm bells rang, I am not a doctor, never been in the medical profession but just because I was diabetic myself and understood diabetes, I knew in the bottom of my heart, my son had a high chance of being diabetic.

All I did was put a urine stick in his nappy - the reading was very clear. You could say I diagnosed my son.

So why, therefore is this not standard procedure in all hospitals especially when it involves excessive urination and lethargy, or even a simple blood test?

The reason I am on my soap box is because I have a friend whose little girl was only diagnosed when she collapsed.

Her mum stated that she was weeing more, she wasn't herself, but because she had a temperature and hadn't literally collapsed she was treated for a virus. It wasn't until she had serious DKA (ketones) and went into a coma that she was finally noticed.

If I could diagnose my own child, why can't someone of a highly qualified medical disposition do the same?

I would be very interested to hear your opinions.