Who doesn’t like an inspiring story at this time of year? Today’s uplifting news comes out of New Zealand, the place that Winsome Johnston, the world’s longest living person with Type 1 diabetes, calls home.
Ms. Johnston, who has had Type 1 for 78 years, was diagnosed when she was just six years old. Told that she wouldn’t live very long and would never have children, Ms. Johnston is now 84 and has four children, eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, with another on the way.
Rab Burton, who is Ms. Johnston’s diabetes nurse, says that she has never missed an appointment in eight years. “She followed everything to the book. I think that’s her secret,” he says.
To learn more about Winsome Johnston, check out this article from 3 News in New Zealand. And to read more about others who have successfully lived with their diabetes for 50 years or more, see this page on the Joslin Medalists.
This blog entry was written by Web Editor Diane Fennell.
