It has been great to see Coronation Street actually doing something worthwhile these past few weeks.
I don't mind admitting I like watching the drama in Albert Square as well as on the cobbles but come on, it's not real and usually, it's not that educational.
However, my opinion changed recently when a storyline really struck home with me.
A young actress on the soap, who plays the role of Summer, suddenly fell very ill and ended up being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
As someone who was diagnosed with the same condition when I was in my third year at university, it brought quite a traumatic time in my life flooding back.
Like Summer, I had been suffering from the four Ts for months - Toilet, Thin, Tired and Thirst.
I had really got into exercising at the time, so the sudden dramatic weight loss had not caused me too much concern.
After a few months, I went to see the doctor who sent me straight to A&E at the Royal Victoria Hospital and what followed remains a whirlwind of blurred images of medics, rushing around me.
My blood sugar was found to be extremely and dangerously high and it was explained to me that my pancreas had simply stopped working through no fault of my own.
Basically, it had stopped producing insulin which is needed to control blood glucose.
So, because my body couldn't produce insulin, I was told I would need to have four insulin injections a day for the rest of my life.
I have two very strong memories of this time.
Firstly, the two very patient nurses sitting with me while I worked up the courage to take my first injection and me crying non-stop in the bed for days because I just couldn't get my head around the fact that this was my new normal.
Like Summer, I remember thinking: `Why me?'
That said, more than two decades on, here I am, still injecting and yes, the nurses were right, it did eventually become just like brushing my teeth.
Yes, I have had a few bumps on the road but I keep trying and that's the message I want to send out.
Type 1 Diabetes, while it is a serious condition - too much or too little insulin in my injection can have life threatening consequences - doesn't mean a normal life is not possible.
If you follow the medical advice, keep taking your injections and try to live healthily, anything is possible.
I'm glad Coronation Street has moved to raise awareness of this condition and highlighted the four Ts - please watch out for them and take action as soon as possible. It could save a life.
And to my fellow Type 1s out there - keep up the fight.
#poweredbyinsulin
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I know it's only been back on our screens for a matter of days but already Love Island has taken over my life.
Islander Hugo Hammond, a 24-year-old PE teacher from Hampshire, quickly won my heart for his kind and genuine nature - and I am angered that some of the female contestants have already labelled him "too kind".
Come on ladies, you're single because you've obviously been choosing the wrong guys - give Hugo a chance, he is a real gentleman.
As for the rest of you, Faye - you're a trouble maker and Brad, you're a player.
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Competition
Summer is most certainly here so how do you fancy winning a garden game to keep the kids busy in the sunshine?
Pass The Pigs is currently Amazon’s Number One travel game having sold millions worldwide.
The aim of the game is to throw the inflatable pigs into the air and see how they land.
Will you get a snouter, leaning jowler or end up makin’ bacon?
Will you be the first to win 100 points or will you get greedy and end up losing everything?
Pass The Pigs is the perfect game for the outdoors so play it in the garden, at a picnic or at the beach.
The game, which is £14.99 to buy, includes two inflatable pigs, a rule book, scorecards, two pencils, a carry bag, deflation rod and vinyl plastic repair seal
I have three Pass The Pigs games to give away
To be in with a chance of winning a game, simply email your name, address and telephone number – along with the answer to the question below – to competitions@irishnews.com
Closing date for entries is 12 noon on Tuesday, July 6, 2021
(Q) How many inflatable pigs are included in the Pass The Pigs game?
Normal Irish News Rules Apply
COMPETITION WINNERS
The winners of the False Truth competition are Sharon Daly, from Downpatrick, Bernadette Carty, from Dublin, Raymond Gormley, from Belfast, S Leckey, from Dunmurry, and Patsy Fitzpatrick, from Carryduff
