JOE Pasquale’s appeal has suddenly become very pertinent to me (Letters, May 6).

I haven’t felt well for some time: tiredness, dry mouth, sudden change in eyesight. Following a visit to my GP, I went and saw the optician, who advised me I either had high blood pressure or diabetes.

I saw my GP next morning and my blood pressure was fine, so a visit to the NHS blood-testing unit at Asda was arranged at 8am the following day.

In the afternoon, I was called to the surgery and diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

All this happened in three days.

Well done the NHS and all concerned, as my blood glucose was dangerously high, 36 instead of 6.

I can sympathise with Sylvia Dunn, whose young daughter has just been diagnosed.

I first encountered the illness when I was about seven or eight years old when a girl in our class was ill.

Thank goodness medication is so much improved now.

Mrs Pamela Frankland, Lodge Farm, Hull Road, Dunnington, York.