Bruce Reflects on 50 Years with Diabetes
22 March 2006

Before the discovery of insulin in 1921, type 1 (juvenile) diabetes was a death sentence. At worst patients survived just weeks after diagnosis. At best people lived for a few years on a starvation diet. Type 2 diabetes could be controlled with diet and exercise but usually led to debilitating complications and a shortened life.

The advent of insulin meant the outlook had significantly improved for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) volunteer and Chatswood resident Bruce Thomson when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1956, at the age of 11. But in the 1950s Bruce's regime was very different to what people with type 1 experience today. There was no modern technology for measuring and controlling blood glucose levels. Bruce monitored his blood glucose with urine tests involving a tablet and a test tube. Unlike the immediate blood tests of today the results showed a level that was three to four hours old.

There were no disposable syringes with fine needles - Bruce used glass syringes that he sterilised himself and thick needles that had to be sharpened on a stone and reused. Insulin was often impure, required much larger doses and the strength was inconsistent.

Bruce is now marking the milestone of an incredible 50 years of living with type 1 diabetes - joining a group of people that is getting bigger every year. On 22 March 2006 Bruce was presented with the Kellion Victory Medal for surviving 50 years with diabetes.

Bruce has certainly seen a lot of advances in diabetes management over the past 50 years. People with type 1 diabetes now have access to home blood glucose testing, enabling them to constantly track their blood sugar levels and follow guidelines to keep levels within the normal range. Purer and more consistent genetically engineered insulin was developed in the 1980s, and insulin with longer and shorter effects now provides people with more options and greater flexibility. The use of all these developments helps people with type 1 diabetes to maintain better control of their blood glucose, limiting the occurrence of hypoglycaemia (dangerous blood sugar lows) and decreasing the risk of long term complications.

About 20 years ago Bruce's vision was affected by diabetic retinopathy - one of the most common complications of diabetes. He received successful laser therapy and his vision returned to normal. Bruce was also told by his doctor that his kidneys were damaged, a problem he has been able to control with stricter management of blood glucose levels and diet.

Bruce said, "I am delighted to reach my 50 year anniversary of living with type 1. It's good to be able to show young people that if you live well and look after yourself you can live with diabetes."

ENDS

For further information:
Karolyn Andrews, Media & PR Manager, JDRF
Ph. 02 9966 0400 (x203) or 0403 787 077 | email: kandrews@jdrf.org.au

About JDRF:
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is the world's largest not-for-profit supporter of diabetes research, investing $130 million in the search to find a cure for type 1 diabetes each year. JDRF was founded in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, a disease which strikes people suddenly, makes them dependent on multiple daily injections of insulin to survive and at risk of devastating health complications like blindness, kidney failure, heart disease and amputation.