World Diabetes Day
Today is World Diabetes day in honour of Dr. Frederick Banting's birthday. He is the man who discovered insulin and my personal hero. His birth place is quite near me and it is finally being restored after being saved from a developer's greedy clutches.
Today, across the world, there are places lighting up in blue to honour Banting, and to express unity and hope for a cure for this world pandemic.
Here is the letter I wrote which got published in a special Legacy magazine all about Sir Frederick Banting:
What the Discovery of Insulin Means to Me
To put it quite simply, the discovery of insulin has given me 42 more years of life on this great earth. Banting is definitely one of my heroes along with the co-discoverers.
I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (Insulin Dependent) at age 13 and was actually in a coma for a few days before the insulin did its magic. I was in the hospital for three months, recovering from my ordeal. The road has not always been smooth, dealing with this condition. I have developed many of the complications associated with diabetes but at the same time, I feel blessed.
Because of the discovery of insulin, I have had the opportunity to grow up through the teenage years, work at a summer camp for children with diabetes for 7 years, achieve a university education to become a teacher who has taught for 30 years, and I was lucky to have met and been married to a wonderful person for 28 years. I was also able to watch my sisters’ children grow up and marry. The many friends I’ve made over the years are precious and my wide circle of friends is quite amazing.
In my eyes, all this has been made possible because of the discovery of insulin. It is important that we continue to praise this Canadian discovery through the Restoration of the Banting Homestead. I say thanks every time I even drive by the sign on the road!
The cost of the restoration of the Banting Homestead? $600, 000.
Cost of the gift to me of insulin? Priceless.
To put it quite simply, the discovery of insulin has given me 42 more years of life on this great earth. Banting is definitely one of my heroes along with the co-discoverers.
I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (Insulin Dependent) at age 13 and was actually in a coma for a few days before the insulin did its magic. I was in the hospital for three months, recovering from my ordeal. The road has not always been smooth, dealing with this condition. I have developed many of the complications associated with diabetes but at the same time, I feel blessed.
Because of the discovery of insulin, I have had the opportunity to grow up through the teenage years, work at a summer camp for children with diabetes for 7 years, achieve a university education to become a teacher who has taught for 30 years, and I was lucky to have met and been married to a wonderful person for 28 years. I was also able to watch my sisters’ children grow up and marry. The many friends I’ve made over the years are precious and my wide circle of friends is quite amazing.
In my eyes, all this has been made possible because of the discovery of insulin. It is important that we continue to praise this Canadian discovery through the Restoration of the Banting Homestead. I say thanks every time I even drive by the sign on the road!
The cost of the restoration of the Banting Homestead? $600, 000.
Cost of the gift to me of insulin? Priceless.
I went to the old homestead if Sir Frederick Banting and I felt amazingly connected to him as I walked the very ground he walked as a young boy.
Here's to you on your birthday Dr. Banting. You will always be my hero!
Labels: Banting, Diabetes Day
posted by Mother of Invention at 9:06 AM
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