The Improving Outcome For People Living With Type 1 Diabetes
During the Joslin medalist meeting last week, I didn’t say anything. I wasn’t presenting or doing any kind of networking. I was invited as “media” (totally in quotes) but I attended as a grown-up child with diabetes, hoping to continue on that path of growing up.
I sat next to a woman named Eleanor (my beloved grandmother’s name) and she had been living with type 1 for 58 years. She asked to see pictures of my daughter. She offered me a cough drop after I spent a few minutes trying to clear my throat, and she stuck her hand out to take the wrapper, spying my pump tubing jutting out from my pocket. “I don’t wear a pump,” she said. “I do just fine with my needles. And you appear to be doing just fine with your pump. Do you need another cough drop?” I almost hugged her.
As Dr. George King, director of research at the Joslin Clinic, gave his opening remarks, quotes from the medalists were flashing up on the screen behind him. “I have learned to understand that perfection is not possible.” “Tomorrow is another chance to do better.” “Say YES to every opportunity.”
These people were incredible because of what they’ve accomplished with type 1 diabetes. Hilary Keenan, PhD and pat of the Joslin biostatistics team, stunned me with the stats on this group. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Six Until Me.*
