ABOUT ME

Hiya. Oh, I feel all shy now, but here goes...

My name is Angela Karakus. I'm hitting my fortieth birthday at the end of this year but I still have all my own teeth. 

I have three kids and one granddaughter. My eldest daughter is 21, then I've got a son (19) and then another son with a bit of an age gap (18 months old). Aaargh! 

My gorgeous granddaughter is 8 months old. My family is my everything, but we've all got bills to pay so...

I work for a diabetes eye screening service as a retinal screener, which is a kind of medical photographer but with little kudos bells attached. It's part of the national screening service for people with diabetes. I'm one of those lucky people that actually loves their job (except Monday mornings, of course).

Anyway, when you come for your yearly (usually) check-up, I'm here to take you through your eye test, squirt drops in your eyes, get really nosey with some questions, and do your retinal photos. When you're not looking, I'm back at the hospital grading those images for disease.

As part of the job, I'm expected to know the ins and outs of diabetes. So, during your screening episode, I'm able to pass on useful diabetes info and answer any questions you may have (within reason).

Sadly, the NHS is very stingy with time. I often feel I should have spent longer answering questions or offering hope to a newly-diagnosed patient full of fears, misery and questions, but there's usually a massive queue of people waiting to have their screening examination. There just isn't time to dig too deep.

That's why I decided to start this website. It gives me opportunity to take my time, cover all the questions I come across, and hopefully give you what you need:

• a real explanation
• from a real person
• who really cares

Anyway, this place isn't about me, it's about you...

I hope you'll enjoy recognising facets of your condition and learn to see diabetes as it is: not a great big scary beast, but an inconvenience!

With just a little know-how, you can learn to tame it, or at least file down the sharp edges. I hope, by seeing things from the right angle, you'll find ways to overcome the hurdles, leaving you free to enjoy a wonderful, healthy and happy life.

Oh, and if there's anything you think I haven't covered, feel free to contact me here and I'll see if I can get it sorted. Oh, ok then, just one more pic...

I can hear ya...Someone take that camera away from her! Ok, I'll stop shoving my face in yours now. You don't need that kind of trauma in your life. I know.

Be well and be happy. I'm sure, somehow, it's possible.

Angela :)

I started smoking when I was eight years old...