Elizabeth Davies has lived with Type 1 diabetes for most of her life, after being diagnosed with the condition in 1960.
Living with diabetes in the 60s was very different compared to living with the condition today. Nowadays, treatment and technology for diabetes has improved immensely, with patients offered much more accurate ways to monitor the levels of sugar in their blood to help them lead a healthier life and avoid future complications such as neuropathy or, at the most serious level, amputation.
For Elizabeth, however, many of these more modern innovations were not available when she was growing up. Later in life, Elizabeth developed diabetic neuropathy after the medication she was taking stopped working and she ended up in hospital, unable to stop being sick. The consequences of Elizabeth’s diabetic neuropathy have been severe, as she explained to us.
“Now, I can't feel my hands or arms up to the elbow and I can't feel my feet or legs up to my thighs. I can no longer make or get meals ready without someone in the house with me and all my days are the same – I’m never free of it and I've been told my symptoms will get worse.”
Keeping mobile for as long as possible
Despite the life-altering affect the neuropathy has had on her body, Elizabeth is determined to stay mobile for as long as possible and is keen to pass on the following advice to anyone in a similar situation.
“Never let anyone tell you – even yourself – that you can't do things. I push myself all the time as I want to keep mobile for as long as I can. I have a wheelchair which helps me if I'm going on long bus journeys, and a three wheeled trolley to help me walk on shorter trips. I also use grab rails, a device to help me pick things up and incontinence pants to help me stay comfortable and independent throughout the day.”
We really admire Elizabeth’s positive, go-getting attitude and are happy to hear she has found the right equipment to help her live as independently as possible.
Thank you for sharing your story with us Elizabeth and we wish you all the best for the future!
Share your story
Do you have a story to tell about how daily living aids have helped you? Let us know: email editor@completecareshop.co.uk.