For Jakob Merrett, of Balclutha, sugar is his lifeline.
He wants people in his town, and all around, to be aware that a spoonful of sugar can sometimes be the medicine he needs.
Jakob was with friends on Monday, heading to the swimming pool, when he felt his blood sugar levels decreasing.
Being a type 1 diabetic and knowing what to do, Jakob went to fish out a few jelly beans to eat when he realised he was out of his usual stash.
Jakob and his friends proceeded to Jakob’s mother’s food truck, which was closed at the time.
"I remembered what the hospital told me to do when I was first diagnosed two years ago," Jakob said.
"They told me I could go into any cafe or food store and get a spoon of sugar from someone to get my blood sugars back up."
He went into a local cafe and asked for some help, but was denied the sugar.
"I was told to go back to my mum’s food truck and that they were closing in 30 minutes, but they were still serving people."
He was scared and started crying, he said.
"I was really upset because I just wanted help and I didn’t know what else to do. It seemed like they didn’t believe me or care."
"It was my first time asking for help. I never had to do it before then because I’d usually ask my mum and she would help me.
"When I couldn’t get to her in time, I thought it would be safe to ask someone else.
"People should please understand that blood sugar levels can go down really fast, and try to help where they can."
Jakob’s mother Dannette Merrett said she was "appalled", and was scared how it would affect Jakob.
"I’m shocked it’s happened. I just want Jakob to be a normal kid, not one that sits inside all day and hides away because he feels like he can’t do anything.
"He just wants to do things every other kid wants to do."
Ms Merrett went and saw the cafe owners yesterday and explained the situation.
The cafe had learned from the incident, she said.
Jakob hopes other people can learn from his experience and help people out.
"I want it to be positive . . . because I don’t want that to happen to anyone else."
