Larry G. Dobbs

In 1975, while an advertising salesman, I began noticing symptoms that I subsequently learned were the results of juvenile or type-1 diabetes. I drove my car to the local hospital ER and the on-call physician diagnosed me with T!D, known as juvenile diabetes at that time. The only advice he gave me was to avoid sweets and starches. The following week the symptoms increased. I was losing weight, although I had an insatiable appetite. Also, I had to urinate frequently. I went back to the ER. The only advice-call physician that day referred me to Dr Eugene Davidson, an endocrinologist at Watson Clinic in Lakeland, Florida. Dr Davidson had me immediately admitted to Lakeland Regional Hospital where his PA taught my wife and I to give insulin injections using a grapefruit. The following week after being discharged I went for a follow-up appointment with Dr Davidson. He shared this powerful advice. “Larry, if you’ll follow my instructions in the years to come, you’ll likely outlive me.” That was 50 years ago. Sadly, my medical hero, Dr Eugene T. Davidson passed away about 10 years ago. Because of significant medical advances, Dr Davidson’s endocrinology expertise, a loving wife and God’s grace, I’m still alive and doing fine today. I recently celebrated my eighty-first birthday!