Thurgoona’s Jill Craig knew her diabetes diagnosis in August 1967 marked a turning point in her life.
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“That was made very apparent that last night at home before hospital,” she said.
“I was obviously declared an invalid, a banana lounge was set up in the lounge room for me to lie on instead of sitting in my usual chair.
“I can remember being given my last chocolate ripple biscuit that night. It tasted good, and they still do.”
For Doug Nash, of West Wodonga, the impact of diabetes was made clear a few years after his diagnosis at the age of eight.
“My doctor advised me that every time I went out of control with my treatment I was putting another nail in my coffin lid,” he said.
“It made me think, and I eventually improved my outlook and control.”
Diabetes Victoria on Sunday awarded Mrs Craig, 62, and Mr Nash, 79, with Kellion Victory Medals that recognised 50 and 70 years respectively of living with diabetes.
Their spouses, Bart Craig and Marie Nash, were also applauded for their ongoing support
Diabetes Victoria peer support co-ordinator Siobhan Johnston told the picnic at Brown’s Lagoon, South Albury, the organisation also presented an 80-year award for the first time last year.
Mr Nash encouraged people with diabetes to listen to their doctors.
“You’ve got to be aware of it every minute of the day, the same as a sportsperson does with their training,” he said.
As Sunday’s picnic wound up, a group of runners left Table Top bound for Albury as part of Run 4 Lewis, a Sydney to Melbourne trek by Geelong’s Clinton Meehan.
Mr Meehan is averaging about 20 kilometres a day, running in memory of his stepbrother Lewis Marnell, a professional skateboarder who died at 30 from complications of type 1 diabetes.
The 42-year-old, who works in hospitality, wants to raise $50,000 for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Australia.
“I’m just an ordinary person who’s trying to do some fundraising and do something positive,” he said.
- To donate go to Run 4 Lewis on everydayhero