Last Tuesday marked the 50th year since my Type 1 diagnosis. I mailed to Boston my application for the 50 Year Joslin Medal. I would not have even known of the program if I had not read about it in FUDiabetes.
My journey started at age 7 with a poor planned attempt to stay home from school, complaining of a stomach ache. My Mom, who’s radar had notices behavior and physical differences, surprised me by saying she would take me to the doctor.
Just for a time warp, in the 1970 Stone Ages I was admitted to the hospital for 10 days (stretching over Halloween) to stabilize diabetes.
No paperwork could be found at Sinai Hospital (Baltimore) and I only have 2 relatives living (my sisters) to vouch for me. I tried to track down my pediatrician (I found a 2017 blog post referring to Dr Kramer being alive at 97 in 2017), the diabetic camp I attended and worked for 12 years. I got one copy of records from the retinal specialists I saw in 1993 with at least a year of diagnosis.
My sisters did remember a few things I did not.
I hope to post a photo soon of a medal in hand, but regardless, I am fortunate to be feeling really good 50 years into the Diabetes Game.
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