Longest living type 1 diabetic

Gtaebr

Newbie
Messages
2
Englands longest living type 1?

Can my mother claim this title.... She surely deserves it!
Diagnosed and first treated 1930 in Toronto moved back home (Sussex) in '36 .
She is still going strong after 79 years as a type1.
Truly a great inspiration to all she is still working as a consultant in the cardiac field!
Very proud of you mum!
Joe
 

Jaxx

Member
Messages
12
Wow! I'm feeling almost newly diagnosed, having been Type 1 for only 39 years (since the age of 23).

I have a little collection of the different insulin delivery devices I've used during that time - from those heavy glass syringes and non-disposable needles that had to be boiled for sterilisation, through to disposables, then insulin pens and DAFNE training, and now just getting used to my fantastic insulin pump.

I'm still scuba diving (not in the UK though as I like warm water) and performing regularly as a member of 'Egyptian Dreams' bellydancers.

So far, so good........
 

keith grills

Newbie
Messages
1
My maternal uncle died recently aged 86, and had been diabetic for over 50 years . In fact he was given a medal for same from a hospital in Salford, Lancashire.
 

Malcolm.Smith

Well-Known Member
Messages
63
I've had type 1 diabetes for 33 years, I was diagnosed when I was 2 years old and even though I was a bit naughty with the sweeties when I was a child (who wouldn't be?) I haven't had any complications as yet. I'm still on the pen using humalin s and Glargine long acting which is far better than the long acting insulins of the past, and providing I keep a close check on myself in the future I've no reason to believe why I shouldn't lead a normal life for many years to come!.
 

richieh

Member
Messages
9
I have Type 1 since 2 1/2 and am now 32, My father had it at 14 and is now 60.

The fact is, it depends on a lot but If you have good BG control, exercise, keep an eye on your cholesterol and and keep your weight under control you reduce the risk of complications significantly.
 
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Bluenosesol

Well-Known Member
Messages
446
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Dark mornings, intolerance any one with a superiority complex...
Last night I went to a presentation by DUK. They are awarding people with badges for people who have been diagnosed for X years. There badges start from around 20 years and go up to 70 years and I am told they have ALL been awarded at some time or another. Not sure how that square's with Bernstein's claim to be the world's longest surviving diabetic??.

Steve.
 

Ray B

Active Member
Messages
41
Type of diabetes
Type 1
I am now 63 years old and was diagnosed with type 1 when I was 8 months old. At that time in history it was recognised that many diabetic children were dying as a result of lack of proper care in their family's. A decision wasmade to open, I believe 4 specialist childrens homes, to teach the children to be able to manage their own diabetes care. I wasa child believed to be at risk and at five (?) years old wasplaced into a home in Kingsdown, nr Deal, Kent, known as St Monica's. It was run by, what was then called the Church of England Children's Society (later to become the Children's Society). It was a lovely caring environment for boys and girls. We used to check our blood sugars over a bunsen burner and we were all on 80 Lente insulin. We were taught to calculate our food on a carbohydrate basis and I have continued that principle ever since. I moved to a different children's home in Salford, again run by the same organisation called St Georges, when In was 11 years old. (There must be many people out there having experience of both homes.) This was a boys only homeand again the insulin regime was 80 Lentefor all the boys. I left at 16 years old, returning to my family home. I have always been a keen sports person and the early cotton wool protections I experienced made me very competitive. I played football up to 51yearsof age, have run several marathons and half marathons andcurrently enjoy cycling and Pilates. I have no health problems, my control is fine, although hypos can occur if I get it wrong after intense exercise but I love my active lifestyle. One ambition I have is to attempt John O'Groats to Lands End on my bike when I retire in 18 months time. Not the longest but I haveenjoyed and continue to enjoy a full and rewarding life.
 

Ray B

Active Member
Messages
41
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Forgive my misunderstanding of the system but the Kath entry is by Ray. Kath is my wife and I used her name as my login name. Sorry
 

noblehead

Guru
Retired Moderator
Messages
23,618
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
Disrespectful people
Hello Kath....by have you got a tale to tell!

Kath said:
I am now 63 years old and was diagnosed with type 1 when I was 8 months old. At that time in history it was recognised that many diabetic children were dying as a result of lack of proper care in their family's. A decision wasmade to open, I believe 4 specialist childrens homes, to teach the children to be able to manage their own diabetes care. I wasa child believed to be at risk and at five (?) years old wasplaced into a home in Kingsdown, nr Deal, Kent, known as St Monica's. It was run by, what was then called the Church of England Children's Society (later to become the Children's Society). It was a lovely caring environment for boys and girls. We used to check our blood sugars over a bunsen burner and we were all on 80 Lente insulin. We were taught to calculate our food on a carbohydrate basis and I have continued that principle ever since. I moved to a different children's home in Salford, again run by the same organisation called St Georges, when In was 11 years old. (There must be many people out there having experience of both homes.) This was a boys only homeand again the insulin regime was 80 Lentefor all the boys. I left at 16 years old, returning to my family home. I have always been a keen sports person and the early cotton wool protections I experienced made me very competitive. I played football up to 51yearsof age, have run several marathons and half marathons andcurrently enjoy cycling and Pilates. I have no health problems, my control is fine, although hypos can occur if I get it wrong after intense exercise but I love my active lifestyle. One ambition I have is to attempt John O'Groats to Lands End on my bike when I retire in 18 months time. Not the longest but I haveenjoyed and continue to enjoy a full and rewarding life.

Quite astonishing, to have had diabetes from such a early age and to be still fit and active at 63- is remarkable! You are a inspiration to us all ! :)

Best wishes

Nigel
 

Bluenosesol

Well-Known Member
Messages
446
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Dark mornings, intolerance any one with a superiority complex...
Ray,

that is inspirational!!!

Thanks for sharing.

Steve.
 

noblehead

Guru
Retired Moderator
Messages
23,618
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
Disrespectful people
Kath,

And on top of this you changed sex :shock:

Nice one Ray! :wink:

Nigel
 

Ray B

Active Member
Messages
41
Type of diabetes
Type 1
There aresome disadvantages of getting older and for me computers is one of them, so take it from me the sex change was the easy part. Now do I sign this off as Kath or Ray. Very confusing! Just joking. RAY :lol:
 

tonyrees68

Member
Messages
12
Hi i am a type 1 diabetic and i have been working as a diabetic eye screener for the last 6 years. One of my patients (a lady) has been type 1 diabetic since 17 years old she is now 93 years old. I did her eye screening yesterday and while she has some background retinopathy and some other ocular issues she is in very good health /completely switched on and enjoying life wow
Tony
 

tonyrees68

Member
Messages
12
Hi i am a type 1 diabetic and i have been working as a diabetic eye screener for the last 6 years. One of my patients (a lady) has been type 1 diabetic since 17 years old she is now 93 years old. I did her eye screening yesterday and while she has some background retinopathy and some other ocular issues she is in very good health /completely switched on and enjoying life wow so hope for all of us
Tony
 

donnellysdogs

Master
Messages
13,233
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
People that can't listen to other people's opinions.
People that can't say sorry.
Thank you to everyone for sharing their details on the longest living type 1 diabetic.

It is great to hear everyone's comments, as the medical world, insurance companies etc are great at telling us our life expectancys are less.....It's great to have people telling me otherwise.

Thank you everybody...
Sharon
 
Messages
1
Sorry about this, but I fear I (or to be more exact, my father) may have to knock some people off this highly prestigious pedestal.

My father, Alec Boothroyd, was diagnosed with Type one diabetes when he was 8 years old, in 1932.

He is now 85 years old - a total of 77 years of insulin dependency. He continues to conduct a very normal, though slightly doddery life. His blood sugar levels are getting very difficult to control but he remains very alert to circumstances and with the help of his forever vigilant wife, Felix, continues to enjoy a very full life.
 

AliB

Well-Known Member
Messages
334
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
My Mum was 64 when she died 9 years ago, but probably would still be alive and quite healthy if the Celiac Disease that killed her had been picked up years ago instead of just 4 weeks before she died.

She had kept really well up until the last year or so before her death, always keeping herself well within limits both up and down, but the Celiac gut damage and resulting malabsorption got her in the end. It's ironic in a way that of all the things she could have died of that are obviously related to it, it wasn't the Diabetes........

But then, you know me, I think all these things are somehow related and just different symptoms presenting in different people of the same thing............. doesn't matter what disease I look at, somewhere along the line it seems to be related to something else.
 

howie

Well-Known Member
Messages
181
my mum spoke with an old T1 work friend since my diagnosis. she is 75 has no grey hair, i think she works 2 jobs (if not she did until recently) and brought up her grandchildren after their parents died. she was diagnosed at 30 after they discovered her kidneys were damaged. other than that she is in good health.

is anyone gonna get all these guys together and see what the secret is?
 

phoenix

Expert
Messages
5,671
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Howie , they are in the US.
Joslin's 50-year medalists are invited to participate in a special study, examining outcomes of long-term diabetes. The study attempts to understand what factors contribute to the longevity of individuals who have received this honor. Currently, over 400 medalists are interested in participating in the study. To date, over 300 of these have completed an extensive questionnaire about their life with diabetes. Data from this questionnaire suggest that the risk of kidney, eye, and nerve problems is different after 50 years with type 1 diabetes than the risk among all individuals with the disease.

A second study is currently being undertaken, which examines factors in the blood and DNA that may help in modifying the risk for complications and survival. Participation in this study is open to all individuals residing in the United States who have received the Joslin 50-Year Medal. In coming months, updates for this study and findings from the previous study will be posted on a separate Web site. For further information on participating in this study, or for further information on the 50-Year Medal, e-mail