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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I’m Eileen and I was a 7-year-old type 1 diabetic when I was diagnosed in the early 1960s. No pumps, no A1Cs, used glass syringes to inject insulin—I was my pediatrician’s first diabetic patient he ever treated. My mom learned everything regarding food and food exchanges and taught me everything she knew. I am forever grateful to her. I too went to Camp NYDA in upstate NY and from the great experiences I had there, I knew I would become a RN. I learned to stand up for myself as prejudice sometimes showed its ugly face.
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