A journey of a lifetime!

I was 11 years when I was told that I suffered from diabetes
Type 1. Syringes were always frightened me, and just the thought of sticking myself
made me shudder. After a couple of weeks in the youth department at Halmstad
hospitals had, however, I realized that the actual needle stick force was not the greatest
challenge. No, my lifestyle would require a change.

My name is Lina Smith and I come from the west coast town
Varberg. The stables and the horses have always been a big part of my life, and so
Even when I was diagnosed with diabetes. I could no longer be thought through to give me
of the stables after school and be away until late in the evening. But
I refused to release the horse lives so the solution was spelled - Planning! Ever since the
I stepped out of the hospital and would begin to live as a diabetic, I have promised
myself;-Line, you can do everything like everyone else, only you make wise choices and
careful planning. My parents have always supported my run side
that I should not be limited by my diabetes. But despite all my hours in
the stable was their call all the time that the school and the blood sugar must go in
the first place. During my first years as a diabetic, I had a stable diabetes,
but since his teens and up, I have been struggling with a severe blood sugar.
But thanks to my active life, supportive parents and a careful check on my
blood sugar, I have despite my illness could achieve many of my goals. I have
However, many targets left.

Another great passion I have is to travel, meet new people
and to try new things. Today I am 24 years old and have read 3 years
Master of Science program at Chalmers University in Gothenburg. Moving to Gothenburg and
dive into student life was a big adjustment for me. To study the
level I have chosen is indeed tough, and that diabetics are the consequences of
stressful periods are always more than the already strenuous stress. It is not
to say except that it is very difficult to maintain good blood sugar levels, how
good one tries in such circumstances. But I am nevertheless pleased
because I'd taken me to where I am today.

Before I begin my Master's in school, I would like to
a break from student life and take the chance to fulfill one of my life's most
biggest dreams. I want to travel around the world! I want to experience the culture of India,
walking in the rain forest of Sri Lanka, surfing in Australia, riding on the fields in New
Zealand where Lord of the Rings was filmed and I want roadtripa in California.
All this, I also want to prove to myself that I can do as a
Among friends, in spite of my diabetes. This would be my life so far largest
challenge and require a lot of foresight and accuracy. But besides all
experiences I would be enriched by, I would also like to share with you
of this, and inspire and prove to other diabetics that yes, we diabetics
can live a life like everyone else! A round the world ticket would cost
approximately SEK 20 000 in student / youth discount. I want to travel in the spring of 2011 and
be out in 4 months. I expected to live for an average of 10 000 per
month including accommodation and meals. Added to that are also miscellaneous costs
for domestic services, vaccinations, travel insurance and more. Total I
calculated that the trip will cost SEK 80 000. A large sum of money for the
financially limited students always have been. But I am passionate about this and
have settled me in Norway temporarily to work and save as much money as
possible. To receive a grant from the Fund's dream simple wins would be a tremendous
help and a big step closer to my dream.

/ Lina Svensson