# Can you live well with type 1 diabetes for 81 years?

**URL:** <https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/can-you-live-well-with-type-1-diabetes-for-81-years/7898>\
**Category:** D-News\
**Created:** [July 13, 2019, 10:47am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/can-you-live-well-with-type-1-diabetes-for-81-years/7898 "2019-07-13T10:47:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Boerenkool](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/boerenkool/32/6307_2.png) [@Boerenkool](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Boerenkool)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2019, 10:47am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/can-you-live-well-with-type-1-diabetes-for-81-years/7898/1 "2019-07-13T10:47:41Z")

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One of those remarkable stories, similar to @Richard157’s:

> **[Can you live well with type 1 diabetes for 81 years? Just ask Don Ray](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-07-diabetes-years-don-ray.html)**
>
> (HealthDay)—When he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1939, Don Ray was just 4 years old. Doctors told his parents he'd likely live well into his teens.

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**Author:** ![Richard157](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/richard157/32/1996_2.png) [@Richard157](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Richard157)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2019, 7:49pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/can-you-live-well-with-type-1-diabetes-for-81-years/7898/2 "2019-07-13T19:49:42Z")

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@Borenkool, thanks for this article. It is, in many respects, an image of my own past. Don Ray was diagnosed in 1939, the year I was born. I was diagnosed in 1945, when I was 6. Don Ray looks younger than I do. I will be eligible for the Joslin 75 year medal in Sept, 2020.

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**Author:** ![Chris](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/chris/32/382_2.png) [@Chris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Chris)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2019, 9:00pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/can-you-live-well-with-type-1-diabetes-for-81-years/7898/3 "2019-07-13T21:00:47Z")

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Thanks for sharing @Boerenkool, that is a great reminder. To be told you would be lucky to live into your teens, then make it into your mid-80’s and still humming along. Great stuff.

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**Author:** ![Chris](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/chris/32/382_2.png) [@Chris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Chris)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2019, 9:01pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/can-you-live-well-with-type-1-diabetes-for-81-years/7898/4 "2019-07-13T21:01:13Z")

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The 75 year medal sounds like a great reason to have a party!