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Mansfield grandmother awarded two medals after living with diabetes for 60 years
A grandmother from Rainworth in Mansfield has been awarded two medals in recognition of her courage for living with diabetes for over 60 years.
Mildred Skermer, 83, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 21-years-old.
The grandmother of two was awarded The Alan Nabarro Medal for living with diabetes for 50 years, and The Robert Lawrence Medal for living with diabetes for 60 years by the charity Diabetes UK.
She also received a letter from the Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, congratulating her on the achievement, and flowers from her local community nursing team.
Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. If poorly managed or left untreated, it can lead to health problems including heart disease, kidney disease and stroke.
Mrs Skermer said she had managed to live with the condition for so long thanks to a healthy diet.
“I do try to stick to my diet" she said. "I always do as I’m told. I eat the right things at the right times. I’ve been quite strict really. A doctor once told me if I got to 70, I’d be doing well – and here I am!”
She also praised her local integrated care team, part of the Trust, who has helped her to manage her condition since January.
Mrs Skermer said: “The nurses help with everything that I need. They do all my injections. They make sure I’ve had my insulin in the morning. They’re a wonderful support.
“I’m very pleased. I wasn’t expecting anything like this. It’s very nice.”
Diane Page, Community Diabetes Specialist Nurse for the Trust, has known Mrs Skermer for ten years, helping support her to manage her diabetes.
Diane comments –
“Diabetes can be very challenging. People face a constant battle of balancing food intake with insulin and a life-time of injections and checking blood sugar levels. It can affect all aspects of a person’s life and so to survive type 1 diabetes for 62 years without any complications is amazing. Mildred is an inspiration to others with the condition.”
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