Kevin celebrates 55 years of good health with diabetes

The serious and lifelong condition can cause blood glucose level to become dangerously high if not managed properly, and requires rigorous blood testing and daily insulin injections.

Sittingbourne resident Kevin Jones was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a 10 year old on Boxing Day in 1964. In his adult life Kevin has attended regular clinics as a patient of the Trust and with the support from doctors and specialist nurses, along with his beloved wife Jackie (pictured with him below), he continues to maintain an excellent level of health, having never been hospitalised due to a diabetic complication.

Along with the support from the Trust, Kevin says the development of treatment has been crucial in helping him to manage his condition so carefully: “I remember in the early days, we had to inject insulin with big glass syringes and long sharp needles, and the only way we could keep a track of blood glucose levels was through a really complicated urine testing system.

“Now I check my blood glucose levels painlessly with my flash glucose monitor and inject insulin within seconds using a portable pen – it’s brilliant! You cannot compare today’s technology to how we used to treat diabetes then.”

Kevin says his positive attitude and awareness of his condition has allowed him to live life to the full: “It has never stopped me from doing anything I have wanted; from travelling the world, to playing sport regularly and working in a full-time job.

“It has been a lot of hard work, but the advances in technology and the amount of support I have been lucky enough to receive has been invaluable.”