Judith Jones-Ambrosini has lived with type 1 diabetes since 1962. Diabetes has guided her down many winding roads and pathways, one of which has led to involvement and advocacy for empowering those with diabetes through sports and exercise. She has been writing about food, healthy lifestyles, and diabetes since 1992. She is the author of The Sisterhood of Diabetes: Facing Challenges and Living Dreams.
- Advancements in diabetes technology are helping more people with type 1 diabetes live longer and healthier lives.
- Exercise and physical activity are key components to aging well with diabetes.
- Finding new interests can enrich your life and lead to interesting discoveries you may never have imagined.
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Did you know there are people with type 1 diabetes who are living longer than people without diabetes? With all the advancements in diabetes technology and other modern blood sugar management tools, the number of people living with type 1 diabetes for over 50 years (we call them legends) seems to be on the rise. Professional chef, author, and diabetes legend Judith Jones Ambrosini offers an inspiring take on how to live a vibrant life with T1D at any age.
Are More People Living Longer with Type 1 Diabetes?
Well, how about us!
The “us” I am referring to is the growing number of T1Ds who have lived full, rich lives with diabetes, over a lifetime of many years. At the last ONE conference in San Diego, there were many of us long-time T1Ds present. In fact, the first prize winner for having T1D the longest went to someone who has glowingly lived with it for over 60 years! And I thought I was a big deal with 56 years under my belt.
Sure, the diabetes world has been moving forward at a fairly snappy pace. Innovative technologies, creative tools and tricks, more accessible education, and widespread social media connections have brought enrichment to many people with diabetes.
According to Dr. Edelman, “I have more patients living longer with type 1 diabetes now than ever before. I wish I could take all the credit for that, but the developments in type 1 diabetes over the last 15 years in particular have been phenomenal.”
Studies are Ongoing about Aging with Type 1 Diabetes
Studies about aging with type 1 diabetes have taken place in Toronto under the leadership of Dr. Bruce Perkins as well as at the ADA, and the Joslin Center in Boston continues to study 50-year medalists. As UCSD researcher Dr. Daniel Porto put it, “The fruits of investigation don’t ripen overnight.” We know that it always seems to take years of research to arrive at clinical impact, and so how we conduct our daily lives matters for us as the clock continues to tick.
When it comes to the iconic group of us who have engaged to carry on our lives and dreams while tending to our diabetes – and done it well – we don’t get a heck of a lot of information, not to mention an occasional pat on the back. Are we the silent minority or the silent majority?
It really doesn’t matter because we choose to put one foot in front of the other and carry on within the lines of management we draw for ourselves as strong, determined T1s.
Exercise and Type 1 Diabetes: A Key Component of Aging Well
One important component of a vibrant life plan that we know about, of course, is exercise. Physical activity should be a priority for everyone’s healthy lifestyle. However, as years add up, the marathons we ran, the 100-mile bike rides, the triathlons and the mountain climbing may not come as easily or quickly as they did way back when. But wait! New horizons are always within reach. “Seek and you shall find”. If your knees are not willing to run as they once did, maybe they can ease into a dance. Local community centers, city run gyms and park programs often offer physical activity classes for a seasoned generation that don’t cost crazy money.
Finding New Interests Contributes to a Vibrant Life
Finding new interests in exercise is creative, stimulating and inspiring. A personal discovery I made recently is something called Movement Speaks, a creative dance program for people in our crowd. It is not only an excellent exercise and movement program but fun and stimulating as well. At the end of a one-hour exercise/stretch class we team up into groups of three or four and must create a three-minute dance based on various suggestions. They might be things like Trust, Swim, Hide, Music without Sound or blizzard, for example. These spontaneous creations allow one to become creative, work with strangers and most of all to feel free of inhibitions just like a five-year old kid!
Key Takeaways
New discoveries can cause a domino effect. Finding a dance program sparked me to investigating other types of activities and interests. So, please indulge yourself and learn something you never had time for in the past. Maybe challenge yourself to learn a new language. Have you always wanted to paint or hike in a National Park? Learn to make Sushi? Play poker? Take a yoga or tai chi class? Kayak? Do a walking tour of New Orleans? The list is as long and wide as your curiosity. Trying new adventures will not only enrich your life but lead to even exciting and interesting discoveries you may never have imagined. Waking up each morning with your own brand of good diabetes management and a sense of excitement about the day ahead makes life grand as we wait for more of those research studies to have clinical impact on us long-life T1Ds.
I’m a youngster when it comes to living with type 1 only 27 years under my belt, but right off the bat by doctor recommended that I exercise at least 5 days a week for at least 30 minutes. I have done that but used to do 7 days a week but as I get older with more things to do I need to take breaks also. New technology has been the greatest for me being on a closed-loop system now for over 10 years and that technology is even getting better. My doctors are learning more and the scientists that are doing the research for better ways to manage our lifestyle and implementing them into our devices is second to none. I thank them and my doctors for really accepting all this new tech and helping me to tweak and refine it so we can live productive lives.
Well said! 🙂
Roy, It sounds like you are on a vibrant path in managing yourT1D. Keep surging forward.
I was diagnosed in 1945 when I was 6. I have now lived with type 1 for 79 years and I am healthy, but I have a lot of neuropathy that slows me down. My eyes and kidneys are good. A nuclear stress i November, 2024 shows that my hear is in very good shape. I exercised at a gym 2010-2019, but I stopped when Covid made it risky. I had physical therapy for six weeks in late 2018. I learned exercises that improved my balance and I can walk more steadily, without falling down. No walker or cane is necessary. I will receive the Joslin 80 year medal later this year.
Wow! This is so inspiring. Thanks for sharing your story.
Wow! Congrats on 80 years…you are amazing!
Oh My! an 80-year Joslin Medal! I hope to meet you there Richard even though it’s only 62 years of living a successful life with T1D for me. Congratulations!
Richard, Congratulations and now I have a new goal! On January 7, 1950, I was diagnosed and hospitalized for a week to learn my new way of living at age 10. My 10th birthday in December was just 3 weeks prior to my diagnosis. You and I are close to the same age! I wanted to get a 75-year medal from Joslin to join my 50-year medal but my communication with them failed. It was truly the “dark ages” of juvenile diabetes for many years and we are in a rare society.
A favorite endocrinologist told me years ago that even though my parents died relatively young, I seem to have inherited “unknown genetic protective factors” from them. It is a mystery but I have no neuropathy and my eyes and kidneys are fine, also. Stay as well as possible and happy to find your message!
Bravo Richard! I will also be at the Joslin Medalist Award day this year~ I look forward to cheering you on in person! I’m a 50 year Medalist, and have had T1 for 58 yrs., since the age of 3.
Congratulations Roy!
Hi
I’ve had Type 1 since age 16 (now for over 53 years). You are so right that we just get a pat on the back at times. We’ve seen it all, experienced it all, heard it all and some how have forged ahead. The advances in technology in the past 15 to 20 years have given us the tools that we never imagined. Embracing the technology has helped me see how my body deals with my diabetes.
Every time some told me “you have diabetes, you can’t do that” it just pushed me to do it.
I am a retired RN, mother, grandmother and very active. My husband and I travel frequently (when we’re not babysitting)
Congratulations to everyone living with longevity and Type 1 !!
Wow, love it Anne! 🙌 👏