Long life without complications. Example of Joslin Medal winners

Thanks to the latest technology and research in the field of diabetes, people’s lives can be full and happy. Heroes who have received the Jocelin Medal prove that the quality of compensation is the cornerstone of maintaining health.

The center is located in Boston, Massachusetts. The Joslin Diabetes Center was founded in 1898 by Elliot Joslin, an American endocrinologist and pioneer in the study and treatment of diabetes. Today, the Joslyn Medical Center provides the latest medical care, and after undergoing therapy, the patient receives lifelong support in managing diabetes.

Joslin believed that self-management was the best way to minimize the long-term complications of diabetes. In addition, recognizing patients for their work and dedication to diabetes care will serve as a motivation. Therefore, the Joslin Medal was established.

If the first medal was given for 25 years of living with diabetes, then with an increase in the level of awareness, the award itself changed:

In 1948, the Victory Medal was established, which was originally awarded to people who had lived with diabetes for 25 years or more.
In 1970, the management of the Joslyn Diabetes Center established a medal that was awarded to people who had lived with the disease for more than 50 years. During the existence of the award, more than 4,000 people from all over the world received the medal. On the front side of this medal is a man with a torch and the inscription: “The Triumph of Man and Medicine”, on the back – “For 50 courageous years with diabetes.”
In 1996, the Joslin Center established a medal for 75 years of living with diabetes, 65 people received this medal.
In 2013, a medal was established for 80 years of living with diabetes, awarded to 1 person.
Joslin Life with Diabetes Award for 80 years

Spencer Wallace was the first to receive the Joslin Medal for 80 years of experience with type 1 diabetes. The award took place on May 11, 2013, when Spencer was already 90 years old, and he lived with diabetes for 86 years. He often said that the disease did not affect his pace of life in any way and he was ready to receive a medal for another 100 years of experience.

Spencer’s life was incredibly interesting and active. Wallace served in the US Coast Guard, held various senior positions, worked as a manager of a large hotel, where he later became CEO and president. He continued to work even after his retirement. Wallace was very active in the cultural, civic and social movements in his region. For a time, Spencer was even the head of the New York State American Diabetes Association.
Spencer loved sports – he was an avid golfer, knew how to play football, baseball, basketball, and in the winter he loved skiing. In addition, he lived in marriage for about 60 years and raised a son.

Wallace saw that difficult time when insulin syringes were reusable, and sugar levels were measured only in urine. Despite all this, Wallace lived a very bright and fulfilling life. Spencer’s story has inspired thousands of people with diabetes around the world to live active and fulfilling lives.

Joslin Medal in Russia
In Russia, they began to award the Joslin medal only in 2010. During this time, about 50 people received the medal.

Valentin Arbuzov received a medal for living over 50 years with diabetes. He was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 26, when he served in the army. Most of his life he worked as a process engineer at the Energomash plant.

Valentin believes that the treatment of diabetes has greatly improved over the past 50 years, and living with diabetes is not very difficult, but you need to monitor your condition and not go too far even with sports.

Life with diabetes has not caused me any particular difficulty all this time, you just need to get used to it. It is very important to monitor nutrition: once you prick, do not yawn, otherwise there will be either little sugar or too much. When I was young, I played sports, and now I walk my dog. If you have diabetes in sports, it is also important not to yawn, because heavy loads can lead to hypoglycemia. I feel great and, if possible, I will try to live another 50 years, – says medalist Valentin Arbuzov
The winner from Chelyabinsk Tamara Shakleina believes that the key to success is a healthy and active lifestyle, a reasonable diet, and good modern drugs.

“I was in a coma, suffered clinical death,” said Tamara Vasilievna. “My parents gave me one life, the second I received from doctors.”
Health studies of the winners
The research results showed:

Lower A1C does not always correlate with fewer complications.
Researchers believe that people with less glycemic control who do not develop complications have a protective factor.

Almost 50% of the medalists have no serious complications. About 40% do not suffer from retinopathy even after 50-80 years of life with this disease. Less than 10% suffer from some kind of kidney disease.
More than 66% of medallists with type 1 diabetes for over 50 years still produce insulin.
It can be imagined that in order to live with type 1 diabetes for 50 years or more, you must have a certain amount of endurance. Medalists have good blood sugar control for most of their life with diabetes. They are physically active, have a normal body weight, and have low levels of bad cholesterol (high HDL, low LDL).

The heroes who have received the medal for living long and free of complications with diabetes are people who vividly demonstrate the importance of a mindful approach to diabetes. An active lifestyle and an attentive attitude to therapy allow you to live a long, rich life and maintain health. It is very important not to forget that we can influence a lot and the quality of compensation in the hands of each person with diabetes. We wish you excellent sugars on the glucometer, motivation and cheerfulness.