Hilary Haynes says that maintaining a positive attitude is important when living with an illness that affects her every day.
The Wyndham Vale resident, 66, has received a Kellion Victory Medal from Diabetes Victoria.
The medals acknowledge people who have lived with diabetes for 50 or more years.
“You really have to be positive with something that lasts your whole life long,” Mrs Haynes said.
“You have to take each day as it comes, don’t let it rule your life.”
Mrs Haynes said that when she was diagnosed at the age of 14, most people had never heard of diabetes.
She remembers being thirsty and experiencing bad cramps.
One day, Mrs Haynes’ mother found her vomiting and took her to hospital.
A young Hilary fell unconscious in the car on the way.
“Next thing I knew, I woke up in hospital with a drip in my arm,” she said.
Mrs Haynes learned that she was not allowed to eat lollies at school due to the sugar in them.
She also learned to inject herself with insulin by practicing on an orange and attending a diabetes camp, where youngsters did not receive breakfast until they could inject themselves.
Two years after discovering she had type one diabetes, Mrs Haynes met Geoff, her future husband.
The pair have three sons, including one boy who sadly passed away with epilepsy.
Mrs Haynes said she believed Geoff also deserved a medal for helping with her with diabetes throughout their years together.
“I wouldn’t have survived without him, he’s learned everything about diabetes and gone with me to doctors and medical appointments,” she said.
Mrs Haynes said that having diabetes could also make it hard to find work.
However, she completed an associate diploma, became a library technician and worked at Victoria University for around 20 years.
Mrs Haynes said that nowadays, she has to have four injections a day.
Diabetes is starting to impact upon her eyesight as well.
Mrs Haynes said it would be good if the federal government would subsidise the price of insulin pumps, which cost around $8500 and are unaffordable for many people.
See https://www.diabetesvic.org.au/ for details about Diabetes Victoria.
