Type 1 diabetes (formerly known as Insulin Dependent Diabetes or Juvenile Diabetes) is a condition where there is too much glucose or sugar in the blood because the pancreas is unable to make enough insulin.

Insulin is the hormone that allows the glucose from the food we eat to enter the cells of the body to provide energy and stores glucose in the liver to be used as it is needed. Insulin replacement is therefore essential for people with type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition which means that the body starts to destroy the beta cells of the pancreas because it sees them as foreign, however the cause is unknown. 

While type 1 diabetes affects people of any age, it usually occurs in children and young adults.

These 'Speaking from Experience' clips features seven young people talking about the ways in which type 1 diabetes has affected their life. It was produced in partnership with Diabetes Australia VIC and Aboriginal Medical Service of Western Sydney.

Produced June 2010