I was diagnosed when I was 22 years old. Finding out you have diabetes later on in life was a complete shock to my family and myself. I am the only one in my family with type 1 diabetes! I quickly had to learn how to live my life with this disease and learn that not every day is going to be easy.
I was 8 years old and diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. This was in October 1953. My parents chose a “free diet”, not the restricted diet that was offered to them for me in 1953. Thank goodness. So growing up I learned about portions—half a candy bar, small piece of cake, small amount of ice cream, etc. So I never felt different. With my parents’ help, I learned how to manage my diabetes better than most. Started wearing glasses at 16 for distance. Only requirement was for driving. I was very active growing up.
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