History & Diabetes

[ALAN50]

Hi,
Wasn't sure where to post this as I'm a newbie but, being diabetic and also very interested in history, I'd love to read about how diabetics were affected during World War 2 in particular, and if any diabetics were able to contribute towards the war effort in any way?
Things are so different for us now and looking at how things were - and with my interest in World War 2 - I would be very grateful if anybody could suggest any books I might want to read...or maybe it is something I or others could actually research!
My Grandmother was diabetic, but she died in 1969. I am very curious how it was for her and others too.

 

[noblehead]

Hello Alan and welcome to the forum!

Catherine posted this heart-breaking account of a survivor in the concentration camps in WW2, take a read:

dlife.com/diabetes/export/pics/dLife_Images/Show_pages/219-Ernest-Sterzer-account.pdf

Nigel

 

[daisy1]

Hi Alan and welcome to the forum

I think you might be interested in this link to the Diabetes Photo Museum which should give you an idea of how it was.

tudiabetes.org/group/diabetesphotomusuem

 

[noblehead]

Daisy, thanks for reminding me of this horrible contraption on the link you posted

Hurt like hell and can't believe I used this!

Nigel

 

[Patch]

:shock:

WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!? Looks like some kind of S&M device! :lol:

 

[TheSparkyPony]

tudiabetes.org/group/diabetesphotomusuem

*Gulp* :shock:

Some of those devices look to be more cruel than beneficial! (Looking at the pre-1960's!)

Glad I was born when I was, I might moan about not getting an insulin pump or being moaned at for using too many strips, but jeez, I'm lucky!

 

[ALAN50]

Thanks for the welcome & the links

I've been diabetic since 1981 and I remember a LOT of those old pieces of equipment, even then, never mind the 60's!

 

[ALAN50]

being moaned at for using too many strips

I've had that too, and I was disgusted...after 30 years you lose the usual symptoms of knowing when a hypo may happen (common knowledge I think most would agree?!) but my GP refused to allow me more test strips...I quit and moved to another practice but I really did feel like he was putting my life at risk! :x

 

[BigMike]

Hello Alan and welcome to the forum!

Catherine posted this heart-breaking account of a survivor in the concentration camps in WW2, take a read:

dlife.com/diabetes/export/pics/dLife_Images/Show_pages/219-Ernest-Sterzer-account.pdf

Nigel

What an extraordinary and heart-breaking life-story. Amazing that he survived. I hope that their'll be no second hitler in the future.

 

[Erin]

Hi,

I'm looking at YouTube stories (there are many). Of interest in WWII you might
like this one:

http://youtu.be/xlOBl_nEits

 

[ALAN50]

Thanks Erin - an amazing & heart warming story, and very interesting from a historical point of view.

 

[BigMike]

Thanks for the link Erin! Truly an amazing story.