Ellen Starker-Minicucci

I was diagnosed at 7 and a half years old at a time when there were no gadgets to monitor blood sugar and syringes were glass and needles were thick, long and painful. The pediatrician was experimenting on me by giving me DBI, a new drug that he replaced one of my insulin injections with. I wasn’t growing. My parents took me to Dr Henry Dolger who saved my life. He told me I would have a normal life and nothing would stop me. He was right! I went to college, married and had twin boys (after having a rough time conceiving after the pediatrician’s experimental treatments) and have three beautiful grandchildren with a fourth on the way. I have been diligent about testing my blood sugar since the first glucometer came out in 1980 or 1981. I eat what I want and cover it with insulin. I will be 76 in July and am grateful- no complications! I am an Optician, love what I do and refuse to retire! My motto is “I have diabetes, diabetes doesn’t have me!”