On Saturday, December 10th, I will celebrate 50 years as a Type 1 Diabetic. Yes, Celebrate!
When I first was diagnosed the doctor told me, A NINE YEAR OLD, that I would never live past the age of fifty. I guess I figured he was probably correct, but have outlived THAT prediction.
I find it interesting, because the technology changes I have seen are phenominal. Basically from the stone ages (no BG testing at home) to pumps, CGMs, meters. I certainly hope the next fifty years shows the same progress. There is always hope.
I will never have a Joslin Medal, and I certainly deserve one. My parents have passed and I never thought to ask. Two cousins survive, but they are much older and do not remember. The hospital has destroyed records from that time. Oh, well. I definately tried.
I will spend that day on travel completing a huge project, which will be my last, as I plan to retire soon. Working... Oh, wel, it could be a lot worse.
I wish every diabetic out there perserverence, hope, luck, joy and whatever spirituality assists. We are all fightin the fight, so keep on! Keep on keepin' on.
And a huge thank you for all the help. advice and assistance I have gotten from all of you!
Fifty years of living with type 1 is something to celebrate, considering if you were born in the beginning of the 20th century you wouldn't have lived that long, right? Congratulate yourself for still being here to tell about it, with or without that Joslin medal. I was diagnosed in 1988, but don't know that date, it was sometime in the fall, so I use August 1 as the date, right or wrong, I guess it doesn't really matter all that much in the scheme of things...
Check now. Write or email the Doctor/clinic/hospital today. I know it seems silly today, but in 23 more years, it might become a big thing. It did for me.
Everyone, please take the time to ask mom and dad, sisters and brother to write testimonials Keep them safe for 50. Joslin does great work and the accepted, documented medalists are a key part of amazing research. I truly ish I could contribute.
Their research is an amazing part of our lives and we should all be prepared to help them at 50 years. Joslin was the first book given to me (a 9 YEARS OLD), and it was amazing.
50 year medalists, I salute you and I encourage everyone to document TODAY, so you can help others forever.
Congtrats Type1Forever, I crossed the "50" year mark in 2008. I had my endo write a letter stating I was dx'd July 6, 1958. I do infact have some records that my mother (who is still with me, back then she knew more than the doc's) kept. I sent the application and the letter in and had no problems. I actually went to the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston back in 1959. I met Dr. Elliot P. Josilin when I was 4. Send the info in. Best of luck and health to you!!!
Congratulations! It's a lot of work keeping everything together. I think you ought to have a metal. I was diagnosed in Jan. 1966 but don't have any exact dates or "proof" to earn a medal. My parents are passed away. Before Dad died this year I thanked him several times for instilling in me a "go getter" attitude about my condition. When I was diagnosed, never did I hear any negativity. My parents told me I could do whatever I wanted to do with my life. They had such a positive attitude. I recommend to any parent of a juvenile diabetic not to coddle them or make them feel "sick". Other than a special diet, I never got any special treatment. It wasn't until I was in my 20s that I heard someone say JDs can't live a long life and I was surprised. I still am. As a grandmother, I plan to be around for many more years! Like I said, life is a lot of work but it is all worth it! I am grateful for every day.
Excellent T1F! Two Thumbs Up! We all know as mentioned, that it hasn't been a "50 year walk in the park", by no means. I must say that your Dr. was Very generous with his prediction. That is unfortunate concerning the medal. There should be some other way. Well, for now.....APPLAUSE and Congratulations on being a 50 year Big D Survivor. the 75th isn't too far away. ;-)
Congratulations Type 1 Forever! Hearing monumental success stories from Veterans like you encourage me more than I can explain. A little over 27 more years and this rookie will have graduated just like you.
Congratulations! As others have said, as someone newly diagnosed, this gives me lots of hope.
I met another T1 that passed 50 years this year in the waiting room at the Naomi Berrie center in NY. Like you, he has seen all the amazing changes in technology over the years. He was in great shape.
Dear T1Forever, Congratulations! This is YOUR DAY! The 1960s did not have the technology nor the various types of insulin we now depend on! Happy Holidays!
Looks like we have 2 things in common. Both have had to deal with this thing for 50 or more years(53 for me) and have something in common with regards to Dec. 10. Anniversary(whether good or not for you) and the day that I turn another year older each year. I got the Joslin Medal earlier this year mostly because I didn't know about it till I got internet this spring and found this site. I was fortunate to have lived in the same place for my whole life and still had some neighbours around that could remember news spreading around the area when I was diagnosed. Hopefully you will be able to find someone who will be able to get at least close to havong something in their lives that would be able to get the medal you so rightly deserve. Maybe not just for you personally but also as motivation and inspiration to individuals that have heard horror stories of what their life may turn into.
I appreciate the horror story comment, David. Truly, that is what makes the news. But also, it seems that people around me who have family with D have hoorible stories I won't go into here, because these things will never happen to us. We care, we do what is right(well, most of the time), and we think. The last one is important.
I also think a lot of it is attitude. If you let it control your life, it will.
I have posted this before, but I had U40 glass syringes and steel needles that had to be sterilized after use. I could not even go out to eat, because carrying the contraption just wasn't worth it .Insulin was Lente, NPH or regular; there were not even NPH/Regular 70/30 mixes yet. The only technology to check BG status was TesTape, recently voted one of the WORST ideas ever.
I have seen it all, and I very glad I have been able to adjust to the technology. The tech gets harder as I get older, but I keep trying.
