An Aberdeen psychotherapist has been given a special medal in recognition of her perseverance living with diabetes for more than five decades.
Carol Millar, 57, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was just six years old.
And now the grandmother of two – has spoken out about her time with the condition to inspire others this Diabetes Week.
She first discovered she had the condition in September 1966 after being admitted to hospital.
“I’d been very thirsty and tired for a few weeks,” she said.
“I remember being too tired to walk to school or even find the strength to lift my chair up onto the desk as we did in those days.”
However it was not long before she was back on the mend.
She said: “I can remember that within a few days of insulin injections and drips, I gained energy and was soon on the mend.”
Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition where a person’s blood glucose level is too high because it cannot produce the hormone insulin.
While it cannot be prevented, it can be managed by regularly measuring blood sugar levels and ensuring a balanced diet to LIMIT the levels of insulin.
Mrs Millar, of Bucksburn, said: “During the school holidays and a different routine, I forgot to inject my insulin one morning. I will never forget how sick I felt.
“I collapsed and my Dad found me when he came home from work.
“The GP was called out and fortunately a huge insulin injection had me back to health again.
“This is the only time in my life I have had really high blood sugar and the experience made me resolve to never let it happen again.”
She soon recovered and went on to work with Customs and Excise.
Mrs Millar married in 1980 and had three children.
More recently she had a career change in 2003 and is now a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist.
She said: “I’m now 57 years old and feel healthier than some others because I’ve had to eat well and I’ve the diabetes to thank for that.
“I’ve tried out everything in life I want to do, employers have been understanding along the way and I’ve enjoyed my studies.
“I understand other people’s problems and feel diabetes has helped me find where I want to be.”
Mrs Millar has been awarded the Alan Nabarro medal, which is handed out by charity Diabetes UK to those who have managed their condition for 50 years.
Angela Mitchell, national director at Diabetes Scotland, said: “Carol is an inspiration to us all, from being diagnosed as a very young age, she has shown that people with diabetes can lead fulfilling and healthy lives.”
