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.
Congratulations! I joined “the Game” a few years ago, my story similar to yours.
My parents wrote a letter summarizing my diagnosis date, which was memorable due to it being a long holiday weekend. My grandparents were visiting, so they watched my siblings when I was sent directly to hospital after doctor smelled breath and heard symptoms.
Congratulations, @cogdog! It’s great to read your story. Way to go! (And i am looking forward to my 50th Dia-versary in just a few more years.) Keep up the good work.
Just arrived in the mail today, a bronze medal in a fancy red box.
Thank you Joslin Center for running the medals program. Thanks for my parents (deceased) who cared so much and worried far more than I knew as a kid. Thanks to all the staff of Camp Glyndon in the 1970s who taught me how to thrive with Diabetes Thanks to my wife Cori who can detect I am low before I know. Thanks to everyone who shared and gives help to others here.
@cogdog, that is a very nice medal, congrats!! I have one too.
You can attend Joslin medalist meetings in Boston now, There was one scheduled in October this year. I suppose it is still scheduled then.
(And i am looking forward to my 50th Dia-versary in just a few more years.) 
Keep up the good work. 
