by Helen Aldrich
Photo included: Caption: Helen Aldrich
From the Editor: I first heard about Helen Aldrich, an energetic 92 years young, from the Activities Director at her Retirement Community in Florida, who called VOICE OF THE DIABETIC to tell us the story. It seems this very special lady, on her own initiative, had started a program to educate fellow seniors about the history of diabetes (and a lot of folks develop diabetes as they advance in age). I interviewed Helen, and her story reads best in her own words. I will point out that although Helen does not have diabetes herself (many of her fellow residents do), she is legally blind. She is a remarkable woman. Here's her story:
I am 92 years old. I was born October 4, 1909. It was a long time ago, but that's a good month to be born in. Those were good years and much has happened since then, you know. It's an interesting time to live. I was born in Buffalo, New York, and I graduated from South Park High.
A lot people in my family have diabetes. And it's almost tragic the way that things happen because it doesn't seem to come down our bloodline. I tell you, it's not until it hits you that it's really awful.
The first case we had of it in our family was a little eight-year-old nephew. Nobody knew it until much later when they took him to the doctor. He finally died very young. There is hope, now, I know. Medicines are better, and a lot of diabetics can live pretty much a normal life span now—but it depends upon their discipline and dedication to that daily measuring.
Now, where I live, Atria Windsor Woods Retirement Community, in Hudson, Florida, there are maybe 11 or 15 diabetics. I think we were sitting in the stroke group one day and they mentioned diabetes as something we could possibly study. Well, that is what I wanted to do, because it's such a big unknown to so many.
A lot of seniors get diabetes, but, you know, all these years I've been seeing doctors, and getting tested for things, no one has ever said anything to me about diabetes. Nobody has ever explained about triglycerides (they just say: "oh, your triglycerides are high." —but what does that mean?) or about cholesterol. So what? Why don't they explain these findings—we need education—tell us what it means.
When I go to the eye doctor (I'm legally blind), I have never heard anyone
ask: "Do you have diabetes?" Someone suggested they don't have to
ask you; you write it on your chart. But why don't they talk to us about it?
Why are we losing vision? And what do they mean by blurry vision?
We need schooling about these questions, so, with a lot of help, I researched about diabetes, for about three months, and then presented what I'd learned to the residents. I do nothing by myself; there were so many people who helped me with this. Everything we have accomplished, we have done together.
We covered the history of diabetes, as far back as 1500 BC. We talked about what the pancreas is. We talked about Beta cells, and what insulin does to move glucose to the cells. We talked of the need for balance in all things, in protein, in carbohydrate, in fat. We discussed how regular testing of blood sugar tells us what our balance should be.
We talked about stress, how stress can make diabetes worse, and how you need to not have too much of it. And we talked about the symptoms, like dry mouth, constant urination, being thirsty, numb fingers, and more. We tried to cover as many aspects of diabetes as we could.
I haven't done that much. I've only skimmed the surface. I like to talk with
people. That's what I like to do. I've been with people all my life who were
so interesting and had so much to offer to me. There is so much more to do,
to teach ourselves about diabetes.